Denmark–Somalia relations
Encyclopedia
Denmark–Somalia relations refers to the current and historical relations
between Denmark
and Somalia
. Denmark is represented in Somalia, through its embassy in Nairobi
, Kenya
. Denmark has a general consulate in Mogadishu
. Diplomatic relations were established on 9 July 1960. During the Siad Barre
regime, Somalia received aid from Denmark to develop its fishing industry. Denmark and Somalia desired to strengthen the cooperation and cordinal relations between the two countries, and Denmark agreed to lend Somalia 45 million DKK in 1981. In 1992, Danish Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann Jensen visited Somalia. About 16,000 Somalians live in Denmark.
In November 2010, Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen
said that she was prepared to send Danish troops to Somalia and Sudan
, after Danish troops leaves Afghanistan
in 2012.
began, none of the danish projects survived. In 1992, Denmark assisted Somalia with $7,5 million, but was "not in the position to give the precise amount of its assistance."
Denmark contributes to strength the democracy in Somaliland
, and has supported the Somaliland presidential election, 2010 with aid.
Denmark sends humanitarian assistance to Somalia through the European Union
, United Nations
, African Union
, Intergovernmental Authority on Development
and NGOs.
Since 1998, Denmark has assisted Somalia with poverty reduction and improving living conditions for refugees and displaced people. From 2003 to 2006, Denmark had a water programme in Somaliland, with a water supply in Erigavo. Denmark aided 15 million DKK for the project. Denmark has said that they want to double their aid to Somaliland. In June 2008, Denmark assisted 19 million DKK for the humanitarian assistance to Somalia. In 2011, Danish assistance amounted 370 million DKK, for security, counter piracy, growth and employment and active diplomacy. Denmark has also trained the Somali policemen through the United Nations Development Programme
. In 2000, Denmark and Germany
sent $4,5 million to Somalia for demining
. Denmark also support women's rights
in Somalia through Interpeace. During the 2011 East Africa drought
in Somalia and neighboring countries, Denmark has contributed with 130 million DKK to the region.
for the NATO Operation Ocean Shield
. A failed rescue operation
was carried out by the Danish
frigate HDMS Esbern Snare
and a Seychellois Coast Guard patrol boat on 26 January. The MV Beluga Nomination was taken over four days before and the attackers cut into the freighter
's citadel
with a blow torch to get at the crew. The Seychelles patrol boat and the Esbern Snare were dispatched and when they found the pirates and engagement began. Boarding teams from the patrol boat were repulsed but the Seychellois were able to kill one or two of the pirates. Two of the Nominations crew managed to escape in a lifeboat
and were rescued by the Danish though four others were killed either by drowning or the Somalis. Ultimately the operation was aborted and the pirates sailed away with the tanker and seven remaining hostages.
Bilateralism
Bilateralism consists of the political, economic, or cultural relations between two sovereign states. For example, free trade agreements signed by two states are examples of bilateral treaties. It is in contrast to unilateralism or multilateralism, which refers to the conduct of diplomacy by a...
between Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
and Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
. Denmark is represented in Somalia, through its embassy in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
, Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Denmark has a general consulate in Mogadishu
Mogadishu
Mogadishu , popularly known as Xamar, is the largest city in Somalia and the nation's capital. Located in the coastal Benadir region on the Indian Ocean, the city has served as an important port for centuries....
. Diplomatic relations were established on 9 July 1960. During the Siad Barre
Siad Barre
Mohamed Siad Barre was the military dictator and President of the Somali Democratic Republic from 1969 to 1991. During his rule, he styled himself as Jaalle Siyaad ....
regime, Somalia received aid from Denmark to develop its fishing industry. Denmark and Somalia desired to strengthen the cooperation and cordinal relations between the two countries, and Denmark agreed to lend Somalia 45 million DKK in 1981. In 1992, Danish Foreign Minister Uffe Ellemann Jensen visited Somalia. About 16,000 Somalians live in Denmark.
In November 2010, Danish Foreign Minister Lene Espersen
Lene Espersen
Lene Espersen is a Danish politician and member of parliament who has been Danish Minister of Foreign Affairs since 23 February 2010 and was leader of the Conservative People's Party and Deputy Prime Minister from 9 September 2008 to 13 January 2011...
said that she was prepared to send Danish troops to Somalia and Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, after Danish troops leaves Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in 2012.
Development assistance
Danish aid to Somalia dates back to 1980. For 17 years, Denmark assisted Somalia with 532 million DKK, which was donated to development aid and humanitarian aid. From 1984 to 1986, Denmark aided Somalia with $4,3 million for the rural transformation. When the Somali Civil WarSomali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
began, none of the danish projects survived. In 1992, Denmark assisted Somalia with $7,5 million, but was "not in the position to give the precise amount of its assistance."
Denmark contributes to strength the democracy in Somaliland
Somaliland
Somaliland is an unrecognised self-declared sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. The government of Somaliland regards itself as the successor state to the British Somaliland protectorate, which was independent for a few days in 1960 as the State of...
, and has supported the Somaliland presidential election, 2010 with aid.
Denmark sends humanitarian assistance to Somalia through the European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
, United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
, Intergovernmental Authority on Development
Intergovernmental Authority on Development
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development is an eight-country regional development organization in East Africa. Its headquarters are located in Djibouti City....
and NGOs.
Since 1998, Denmark has assisted Somalia with poverty reduction and improving living conditions for refugees and displaced people. From 2003 to 2006, Denmark had a water programme in Somaliland, with a water supply in Erigavo. Denmark aided 15 million DKK for the project. Denmark has said that they want to double their aid to Somaliland. In June 2008, Denmark assisted 19 million DKK for the humanitarian assistance to Somalia. In 2011, Danish assistance amounted 370 million DKK, for security, counter piracy, growth and employment and active diplomacy. Denmark has also trained the Somali policemen through the United Nations Development Programme
United Nations Development Programme
The United Nations Development Programme is the United Nations' global development network. It advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to...
. In 2000, Denmark and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
sent $4,5 million to Somalia for demining
Demining
Demining or mine clearance is the process of removing either land mines, or naval mines, from an area, while minesweeping describes the act of detecting of mines. There are two distinct types of mine detection and removal: military and humanitarian.Minesweepers use many tools in order to accomplish...
. Denmark also support women's rights
Women's rights
Women's rights are entitlements and freedoms claimed for women and girls of all ages in many societies.In some places these rights are institutionalized or supported by law, local custom, and behaviour, whereas in others they may be ignored or suppressed...
in Somalia through Interpeace. During the 2011 East Africa drought
2011 East Africa drought
Since mid-July 2011, a severe drought has been affecting the entire East Africa region. Said to be "the worst in 60 years", the drought has caused a severe food crisis across Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya that threatens the livelihood of more than 13.3 million people...
in Somalia and neighboring countries, Denmark has contributed with 130 million DKK to the region.
Piracy in Somalia
Denmark contributes with HDMS Esbern Snare (L17)HDMS Esbern Snare (L17)
HDMS Esbern Snare is an support ship, and is along with her sister ship, the HDMS Absalon , the largest combat vessel currently commissioned in the Royal Danish Navy....
for the NATO Operation Ocean Shield
Operation Ocean Shield
Operation Ocean Shield is NATO's contribution to the anti-piracy campaign off the Horn of Africa, following the earlier Operation Allied Protector. Naval operations began on 17 August 2009 after being approved by the North Atlantic Council and involves warships primarily from the United States...
. A failed rescue operation
Beluga Nomination Incident
The Beluga Nomination Incident refers to the capture and attempted liberation of a German freighter from Somali Pirates by the Seychelles Coast Guard and Royal Danish Navy in January 2011...
was carried out by the Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
frigate HDMS Esbern Snare
HDMS Esbern Snare (L17)
HDMS Esbern Snare is an support ship, and is along with her sister ship, the HDMS Absalon , the largest combat vessel currently commissioned in the Royal Danish Navy....
and a Seychellois Coast Guard patrol boat on 26 January. The MV Beluga Nomination was taken over four days before and the attackers cut into the freighter
Cargo ship
A cargo ship or freighter is any sort of ship or vessel that carries cargo, goods, and materials from one port to another. Thousands of cargo carriers ply the world's seas and oceans each year; they handle the bulk of international trade...
's citadel
Citadel
A citadel is a fortress for protecting a town, sometimes incorporating a castle. The term derives from the same Latin root as the word "city", civis, meaning citizen....
with a blow torch to get at the crew. The Seychelles patrol boat and the Esbern Snare were dispatched and when they found the pirates and engagement began. Boarding teams from the patrol boat were repulsed but the Seychellois were able to kill one or two of the pirates. Two of the Nominations crew managed to escape in a lifeboat
Lifeboat (rescue)
A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
and were rescued by the Danish though four others were killed either by drowning or the Somalis. Ultimately the operation was aborted and the pirates sailed away with the tanker and seven remaining hostages.