Q and A: One on one with UK minister for Africa Rory Stewart

 

UK minister for Africa Rory Stewart visited Mogadishu this past week and Goobjoog TV producer Ahmedweli Hussein had a chance to speak with him over a range of issues of interest between Somalia and Britain.

Goobjoog TV (GTV): Could you briefly highlight your aim for visiting Somalia today?

Mr. Stewart: My aim is to come and meet Somali government.  To see what as British government can do to support. I think Somalia has made a lot of progress over the last two to three years but still there is some serious challenges and particularly today we are focused on the security sector so supporting police training but also on the humanitarian disaster and the drought and finally on the development, the long term development of the country.

Goobjoog: The country is in a difficult stage on the drought issue and several times top officials from Britain have visited the country. Up to now what tangible thing have they implemented in regard to the drought?

 Stewart: UK Government is the largest single donor. We put in about 180 million dollars into helping drought response in Somalia. We were one of the first countries who put in more money than any other else and we feel it is a good thing to do because we feel the sooner we put in the money, the better. We feel very proud about our response. It was more difficult in 2011 but we feel thank goodness at the moment that 2017 response was a bit better. The international community moved faster and responses were more efficient.

GTV: The world is making constant pledges where millions were promised and there seems to be no visible change on the ground. What is do you think could be the reason behind this?

Stewart: I think the UK has pledged about 180 million dollars and of that we have already dispersed 90 percent of that money. It is coming to Somalia already. Of course you can always do more but the biggest problem in Somalia is not unfortunately the international money now. It’s a problem of access because it’s a conflict situation. Some areas of the country are genuinely very difficult to get to. Some of the Al-Shabaab areas for example are quite difficult to get the funds through. So yes of course this is basically made by drought. It is a lack of rain. But it’s not only lack of rain it’s also the conflict and the fighting makes it quite difficult to deliver the food.

 GTV: British soldiers are in Somalia. Since their arrival, what have they achieved?

Stewart: Our troops are doing different things. They are helping training the Somalia National Army, working with Amisom. They were working also with the UN and are supporting on logistics and we did a little bit of police training basically supporting training.

GTV: Somalia requested the United Nations to remove arms embargo on the country and UK is an intimate friend to Somalia. Are you going to extend a helping hand on to remove the blockade? 

Stewart: This is a difficult question that we have to discuss. On the one hand of course Somalia and Somali nation needs to defend itself. On other hand we need to be very careful with Amisom.

GTV: Somalia is reviewing its constitution and the country is facing challenges that preset conflicts of between the central government and the regional authorities particularly with regards to power sharing. Does this create anxiety on the international community?

Stewart: The first thing is this is a Somali Constitution. This is for the Somali people; it’s not for me to say what is in the constitution. We can provide some advice. We can provide some funds for but it should be a Somali led process.

But I think the Somali government has made a lot of progress and the key thing it seems to me looking from the outside is getting the balance right between them -the federal government and the regional governments. And once you’ve got that balance right, put it into the Constitution. So it’s clear. It is written down. Everybody knows the relationship is going forward.

GTV: There were several meetings for talks between Somalia and the breakaway Somaliland where you have been part of these processes in order to reach a lasting solution. What is your vision on the current level of matters?

Stewart: One thing to be outlined is elections are coming in Somalia. That again this is really for Somalis but my instinct is things might get easier after the elections.

GTV: So you are hopeful

Stewart: hopeful in the end of course. People have a lot in common. I think that. Somalians in some ways have done very well keeping the country together. Of course I have to remain hopeful about the talks but it’s challenging.

GTV: The country is on an economic recovery in the last years. Is there a clear policy that you support [this issue?]

Stewart: Yes very much sir. Very much so and the question is finding the correct types of investments. So Somalia needs many things. It needs infrastructure. It needs skills. It needs education and health. But it also needs the short term humanitarian response. So trying to get all those things right is central. For us the most important thing is getting the public financial management right and making sure the Somali government can have the systems to get the taxation revenue, to sort out the budget, to have the right processes because once those processes are in place it’s much easier for Britain and other international donors to come behind it and follow the Somali national development because that must be the Somali national development plan which is in the lead not the ideas of the International Community.

GTV: Since you are state minister for Africa, do you think big UK companies are eyeing to come to Somalia and invest in the country?

Stewart: UK companies, I think. Some of them are probably a bit concerned still about security and the government systems. So maybe I think we need a little time for this but it is going to be huge investment.

GTV: International Community is expressing fear on the return of sea piracy in the coast of Somalia. Do you think UK has such concern?

Stewart:  So we remain very concerned by piracy and it’s of course one of the reasons going back to 2009, 2010 that the international community became involved in Somalia. Again there are different aspects of the same problems. Fundamentally this is about development. It’s about jobs. It’s about building a state. It’s about giving people a future moving away from these kinds of activities.

Somalis are amazingly entrepreneurial people with an incredibly dynamic history. Somali communities around the world are incredibly energetic and famous. So there is so much potential in this country. I just think it needs some little patience. Maybe that’s why we United Kingdom and other countries are so keen to be behind you on supporting.

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