This Day in History: February 28, 1995
Additional Date: February 28, 1995
On 28 February 1995, Mogadishu seaport was handed over to the combined United Nations Organisation (UNO) and the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) task force and closed to commercial traffic. This followed numerous attempts by UNO and OAU, to curb a prolonged civil war that broke out in 1991. The civil war erupted after the downfall of President Siad Barre. It was between the faction supporting Interim President Ali Mahdi Mohamed and that supporting General Mohamed Farah Aidid.
In January 1992, the UN Security Council imposed an arms embargo against Somalia. The Secretary-General, Boutros Boutros-Ghali organised discussions between the parties, who agreed on a ceasefire, to be monitored by UN observers, and on the protection of humanitarian convoys by UN security personnel. In April, the Council established the United Nations Operation in Somalia (UNOSOM I).