Last year was a hugely significant year for Somalia. After two decades of civil war, the country took its first steps towards a new beginning. A new and more legitimate government is in place, and many Somalis are starting to think of a better future.
The UK’s Minister for Africa, Mark Simmonds (MP) visited Ethiopia this week (Wednesday 10 April). His visit was designed to engage with Ethiopia and the African Union (AU) on Somalia, in the context of the forthcoming international Conference on Somalia that will be co-chaired by my Prime Minister and the President of Somalia next month. This Conference will be very different from the one we organised in London last year because it will be owned by the Somali government and organised in line with their priorities.
Minister Simmonds (who also visited Uganda) was able to thank countries in the region for their efforts in stabilising Somalia and improving the nation’s security. He met with senior officials from the AU as well as the Somaliland President and Ethiopian Prime Minister.
In all his meetings, he made clear that support from the region would be instrumental in the success of the Conference and helping the Somali government find a way forward. The Somali government has asked for assistance in reforming their security and justice systems, reducing corruption, stimulating economic recovery, delivering services in the health and education sectors, fostering cooperation with international partners and upholding the unity and integrity of Somalia.
It is vital that we now take this opportunity to build on recent gains, maintain momentum and create the conditions to enable Somalia to rise out from terrorism, poverty and piracy and become a prosperous and peaceful nation. The UK supports this process because it will strengthen peace and security in the region more widely and reduce the threats to other countries.
This week has also seen the G8 Foreign Ministers meeting. The UK’s G8 presidency gives us the opportunity to encourage the International Financial Institutions such as the World Bank, African Development Bank and International Monetary Fund to re-establish their financial support to Somalia. Moreover, it will help encourage other countries to strengthen their individual diplomatic and economic ties with Somalia.