Statement of U.S. Senator Russ Feingold On Continued Fighting in Somalia February 21, 2007 “I am troubled by reports today of Somalis fleeing rocket attacks between the Transitional Federal Government and insurgents, as well as reports of efforts by the TFG to suppress media accounts of the fighting. These developments represent a serious setback for the goal of establishing a credible, inclusive government and underscore that success in Somalia cannot be won by military action alone. A political solution must be reached in order to achieve a sustainable peace. Yesterday’s unanimous endorsement by the United Nations Security Council for an African Union peacekeeping force is a good first step but can only succeed if all major players in Somalia, as well as in the region and international community, demonstrate a determined commitment to a political solution.” During a January speech before the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Senator Feingold, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs, warned that without a political solution, no peacekeeping force will be capable of bringing about stability in Somalia. Feingold recently introduced legislation to help support Somalia’s stabilization and reconstruction.

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