Stabilizing the Horn       
Kristen McNaule - Political Science Student
 CIDA in Somalia

On February 1, 2008 Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs, The Honourable Maxime Bernier, expressed the need for the Canadian Government to contribute its humanitarian efforts to providing aid and achieving political stability in Somalia. This is an ambitious venture given the disastrous outcome of previous peacekeeping missions and attempts at humanitarian aid distribution. American anti-terrorism measures are also creating further hostility within the country, making it increasingly difficult for foreign aid agencies to earn the necessary trust to pursue their goals.

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), Canada has supported Somalia's 2004 Transitional Federal Charter which promoted the reconstruction of Somalia over five years. The goal was increased communication between conflicting parties to promote better security and foreign accessibility that would lead to increased human rights and development.

“After last year's Ethiopian invasion of Somalia,
trust for Western intervention has diminished
due to suspicions of political agendas.”

Canada has no formal diplomatic relations with the Transitional Government of Somalia, but maintains some relations from the Canadian Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya. Currently there is no Canadian Embassy or consular services in Somalia. Given Canada's inability to protect and provide services for its citizens in Somalia, Canadians are strongly advised from traveling there. There is also an extremely high rate of violence, unsanitary conditions and anti-Western mentality which make it difficult for Canadians to establish functional organizations.

Canada's current Somalian missions through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) are primarily multilateral programs in accordance with International organizations like the United Nations and the African Union. Most of these projects are related to humanitarian assistance, rather than providing long-term stability and security. Canada has also contributed approximately $10 million to Somalia through various food and health organizations, including the World Food Program and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) reports that food and aid distribution projects have been problematic in the past due to the inaccessibility of Somalian territory. Boats carrying these resources are placed at a severe risk due to piracy in the Indian Ocean off Somalia's coast. Poor sanitation creates an extreme health risk. Frequent flooding causes several deadly waterborne diseases to be distributed

throughout the state. A lack of national infrastructure limits the possibilities for medical treatment creating a greater risk of fatality.
Foreign Affairs notes that the US War on Terror could make things worse. On March 3, 2008 the United States fired precision missiles at terrorist targets in southern Somalia, causing many local villagers to flee in fear of further attacks. The U.S. Alliance with Ethiopia, due to their anti-terrorist sympathies, is a source of extreme inter-state tension within the Greater Horn Region. Given the conflictual relationship between Somalia and Ethiopia which escalated after last year's Ethiopian invasion of Somalia, trust for Western intervention has diminished due to suspicions of political agendas.