"UK’s renewed involvement in Somalia was partly inspired by the terrible suffering of the Somali people" Exclusive Interview with the British Minister for Africa

Select Language​▼ UK's Minister of foreign and commonwealth office for Africa, Mr Henry Bellingham MP - Photo: FCO  “Somalia has the inherent right to determine its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that is not going to be in the discussion of the upcoming London conference”   FCO Minister for Africa, Mr Henry Bellingham Hiiraan Online Friday, February 03, 2012 Hiiraan online had an opportunity to interview the UK Minister of Foreign and Commonwealth Office for Africa. In this interview, which of course touched a myriad of Somali issues pertaining to the protracted intricate conflict, the Minister enthused about the desire of the government of UK to address the thorny Somali problem which has become now and international problem.   “The government of UK’s renewed involvement in Somalia was partly inspired by the terrible suffering of the Somali people for over two decade and the global spillover effect of the Somali conflict in terms of piracy and terrorism on the other hand, said the Minister. Here is the HOL’s exclusive interview HOL: Since 1991, there has been over 14 conferences on Somalia held outside the country and none has so far produced any tangible results, why do you think this one will be different? Mr. Bellingham: We hope that this conference will be the turning point when the international community realises that success in Somalia will not stem from another peace conference or another pledging conference but from pursuing a more strategic and coherent approach. In other words, this conference is primarily about improving international co-ordination. And the agenda is very much focused on agreeing practical measures. We are still discussing with our international partners what will be announced at the conference, but we hope it will include agreement on: funding for AMISOM and support for the Somali security and justice sectors; what should succeed the transitional institutions after August; the establishment of a Joint Financial Management board to ensure that ordinary Somalis get the most from international aid and their own financial assets; a co-ordinated international package of support for the regions; renewed commitment to tackle the humanitarian crisis and improved international co-ordination on Somalia in general.  We also hope for further commitment to tackle the terrorist threat emanating from Somalia and to build on our work to break the piracy business model.Continued