Somalia Activities

Since May 2009, JCCP has been working closely with the UNDP on the Community Safety Project (CSP) in Somalia. The CSP is a unique venture which aims to establish a system of security by combining the expertise of local residents while respecting the traditional manner of solving problems within Somalia’s culture and society. The UNDP set the wheels in motion, and JCCP has since been involved in its planning and framework.

It is difficult to form an objective assessment of the varying level of risk throughout Somalia and what causes it. Without knowing the reason behind the conflict, it is impossible to find a solution. However, many areas are beyond government control and too dangerous for foreigners to enter; rendering data collection problematic.
JCCP is therefore devising new methods for data collection and a system for analyzing and managing sourced information. In addition, training is being conducted for local NGOs in Somalia, based on the system developed.

We will be working on further projects in 2010, so please watch this space for more information.

In 1977, Somalia invaded Ethiopia to liberate Somali tribal areas (the Ogaden War). Somalia had suffered for years under the dictatorship of President Barre, whose policies favored his own tribe to the detriment of the country’s welfare. Somalia’s defeat in the Ogaden War signaled the rise of the United Somalia Congress, a movement which protested against the large scale damage caused by the war, and eventually led to Barre’s overthrow and exile in 1991.

Since then, armed groups have continued to cause chaos in the southern regions of Sudan, with the only control coming from the United Nations PKO and AU peacebuilding missions, and make-shift governments.
In addition to the growing problem of sea piracy, the security of Southern towns such as Mogadishu is particularly threatened by Islamic insurgents and al-Shabaab, Somalia's radical guerillas.