Foreign Office: Somalia peace 'not up to us'

Friday, 20 June 2008 12:00 AM

The UK government backs a senior UN official's claim that the international community can only make limited progress in helping Somalis find a permanent peace.

A Foreign Office official told politics.co.uk there is frustration within Whitehall about the limited influence external mediators, including the UK, can bring to bear on the situation.

The comments came as the United Nations' secretary-general Ban Ki-moon's special representative to Somalia, Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, warned Somalis that "the world is not waiting for Somalia to settle its dispute".

Earlier this month the transitional federal government and the Alliance for the Re-liberation of Somalia (ARS) reached agreement on the first stages of the Djibouti agreement.

This lays out first-stage agreements on the cessation of armed conflict, the deployment of peacekeepers and high-level political cooperation. A successful deal could end the 17-year period of anarchy since Somalia's last functioning government collapsed in 1991.

Mr Ould-Abdallah warned that piracy, illegal fishing and the dumping of chemical, toxic and possibly nuclear waste in Somalia mean the struggle for power by Somali warlords is flawed.

There are currently around three million refugees from Somalia in the Horn of Africa region, in addition to an estimated one million internally displaced persons.

"If you win, you are going to win what country? Winner-takes-all has a devastating effect on this great continent," he said.

"You spend the day fighting, you spend the night fighting. This country is plundered because its own citizens have no time for it. It is a disaster."

External influences have had a damaging effect, Mr Ould-Abdallah argued, saying a pragmatic unity among the international community is the best approach to the problem.

Ultimately, however, he said Somalis should accept responsibility for ending their country's ongoing crisis.

"Somalis should take themselves seriously. You have to do something for your country. You have a great country. And you have to adapt."

Mr Ould-Abdallah and Foreign Office officials believe the international community has only a limited role to play in creating the conditions needed for a lasting peace.

It can help arbitrate the implementation of the Djibouti agreement, however. Talks are beginning today with representatives of the EU, US, Norway, League of Arab States and African Union, where budget resources will be discussed.

Serious about politics?

City University London

Dedicate one year of your life to getting to the heart of current issues in global politics. Our courses allow you to specialise in development and policy-making, international relations, and political journalism and communications.

Special event coverage

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: Celebrating the Social Sciences

Evidence-based policy should not be a radical concept. It needs to be celebrated.

ESRC logo

Festival of Social Sciences: 2 languages: 2 brains, 2 minds, 2 cultures?

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Sciences, the Deafness Cognition And Language Research Centre (DCAL) hosted an event exploring the powerful benefits of bilingualism in spoken and sign languages, for hearing and deaf people alike - benefits that reach hearing and deaf people alike.

Opinion Former Events

NHF: Leaders’ Forum and Exhibition 2012

This flagship event is a forum for chief executives and chairs of the housing sector to network with each other and learn from a range of high-profile and inspirational speakers from media, political and housing backgrounds. It takes place in Park Plaza Victoria, London.

TACT: Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD): how to support affected children

Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an incurable lifelong condition arising from brain damage caused by maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy. The effects may include physical, mental, behavioural and learning disabilities. However, if diagnosed, the right strategies can transform the lives of those affected. This new Guardian Social Care Network half-day seminar in association with TACT Fostering and Adoption will explain the condition and show what can be done to help.

bpas: Abortion in the US: Popularity, Politics and Practice

We often hear of the ‘Americanisation’ of abortion politics in the UK, but unpicking the substantive threats to women’s reproductive rights in the US can be a challenge. The 2012 bpas public lecture will explore the current state of abortion politics in the US and, at a time when abortion appears increasingly politicised in the UK, reflect on what lessons can be drawn by those keen to protect women’s reproductive autonomy elsewhere.

Cogent SSC: UK Nuclear Skills Awards - 22nd March 2012

The UK Nuclear Awards is steadily becoming an anticipated annual event in the Nuclear calendar. The National Skills Academy for Nuclear and Cogent Sector Skills Council are preparing to hold their fourth collaborative Skills Awards Evening for the industry.

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition and Conference

This one-day event is targeted at professionals operating in the information destruction industry, and aims at keeping delegates updated on recent developments in their sector, providing an opportunity to network with fellow professionals, whilst offering access to an informative exhibition and a comprehensive conference programme.

Take the Gold Challenge for St Dunstan's

We provide lifelong support for blind and visually impaired ex-Service men and women. You can help give more blind heroes an independent future by taking the Gold Challenge

Newsletter sign up

By signing-up you agree to the terms of use and privacy policy.

Unsubscribe