Article
Andrew Mitchell becomes first British cabinet minister to visit Somaliland
International development secretary announces trebling of British aid to warn-torn country as resources are redirected to world's poorest regions
Andrew Mitchell, the international development secretary, talking to female police officers in Somaliland this week. Photograph: Pete Lewis/DFID
How's this for a photo opportunity? Andrew Mitchell, the international development secretary, is perched on the side of a truck talking to female police officers in Somaliland.
Unlike many photo-ops, this is no gimmick. Mitchell this week became the first British cabinet minister to visit Somaliland with a serious purpose in mind – to show how he is redirecting Britain's overseas budget to countries in genuine need. Aid to Somalia is to be trebled from £26m in 2010/11 to £80m in 2013/14.
Mitchell occupies an enviable position in the cabinet. His budget was only one of two to be ring-fenced by the Tories in their general election manifesto. The other was the health budget.
The international development secretary knows this brings huge responsibilities to show he is spending wisely. Mitchell told the Guardian in July that he is under a duty ensure money is being well spent in light of his "privileged position" of having a ring-fenced budget. David Cameron has pledged to meet the UN target of spending 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) on overseas aid by 2013.
Soon after taking office in May Mitchell showed his intent when he announced bilateral reviews of all 102 countries supported by Britain. Some richer countries, such as China and Russia, will lose support as aid is directed towards the needy.
And this week we saw where some of that money will go when Mitchell stopped by for his chat with police in Somaliland, a self-declared sovereign state which Britain only recognises as an autonomous region of Somalia. During his visit to the capital, Hargeisahe, he met President Silanyo of Somaliland and toured a hospital.
Ever the diplomat, Mitchell chose his words with care as he announced that British aid to Somalia would be tripled:
British aid to Somalia is helping to save lives. This week I met a three-year old girl who had been on the verge of starvation. Now she is on the way to recovery, thanks to the kind of emergency nutrition that Britain will provide for some 40,000 starving women and children.
As a member of Britain's new national security council, Mitchell said the aid would also benefit Britain:
This is not just aid from Britain; it is aid for Britain too. Our aid to Somalia is helping to make Britain safer, because conflict doesn't just claim innocent lives in Somalia, it also leads to international problems like piracy, migration and terrorism. None of these will be solved without tackling their root causes: ongoing instability and extreme poverty.
Mitchell believes the aid will provide the following help:
• Emergency nutrition for more than 40,000 starving women and children.
• Safe drinking water to 350,000 people.
• Access to basic, life-saving healthcare for 268,000 people.
• Help for 68,000 people to keep their animals alive. This is a vital lifeline for families during droughts.
Mitchell was given a less than friendly welcome back to Britain by Harriet Harman, his Labour shadow, who raised questions about the Tories' commitment to meeting the 2013 UN spending target. In a speech today at the LSE, Labour's deputy leader announced a 'Keep the 0.7% / 2013 Promise' campaign because of what she called the Tories' "fragile" commitment to the target.
Harman pointed out that legislation to enshrine the commitment, promised in the Queen's Speech, has still not appeared. A senior DfID source told the Guardian last night of Harman's attack:
This is a pretty weak attack given that the coalition has promised to do it in the first session of this parliament which ends in June 2012.
We are also the first country in the G20 to set out the financial pathway to the 0.7% commitment. If that is the best Harriet Harman can do we will put that down as a tick for the coalition's development policy.
The usually uncontentious area of overseas aid may soon become a little more heated.
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User Comments
madasballoons
3 February 2011 10:30PM
He only got this freebie from William Hague because Ffion preferred to go on a freebie to Scarborough for the fish and chips.
Orram7
4 February 2011 3:05AM
I applaud Mr. Mitchell and Britain's commitment to working with the administration in Somaliland. Too often, the international community had poured aid money into the waste that was and continues to be the defunct Somali Republic and its various incarnations such as the transitional federal government.
All the while the people of Somaliland have been able to stretch whatever aid they receive into capacity building, social development, education, health care, hospital renovation, medical supplies etc. The increase in aid from Britain is but a drop in the ocean with regard to Somaliland's needs, but the donor nations and its taxpayers will take comfort that their donations are actually making a difference.
This article is the definitive proof that aid to Somaliland is being used for its intended reasons. This a credit to the people of Somaliland and their ability to hold their public officials accountable in a democratic manner, through free and direct elections for the presidency, parliament and local assembly.
Somalilander
4 February 2011 5:07AM
This aid will make huge difference in this troubled region. 62% of the £80m will go to Somaliland. This not only supports the poor but also helps train police and improve security.
This is no waste to tax payers because Somaliland has proven it was the only African state, unrecognized too, that held creditable election in 2010. This is why Britain has decided to almost double the aid for Somaliland. The United States is also doing the same and President Silaanyo is due to travel to Washington some time this month (Feb).
This is not the Somalia you need tribal warlords to protect you, Mr Mitchell went about his business freely in Somaliland.
I am certain other British ministers will follow.
Somaliland appreciates all the help from the friendly nations because we also know how things are tough now in Britain and the US.
sydneysomaliland
4 February 2011 5:08AM
Thank you for your supporting Somaliland , it is the right thing and moral thing to do that.
Somaliland is a de facto independent country in what is known in the media (none too accurately) as "Somalia." It is an ironic situation that southern Somalia has no effective government on the ground, but has a largely fictional government that is recognized by the international community; whereas in the northern part of the country—Somaliland—exactly the opposite is true: it has a functioning government on the ground, but no government that is recognized by the international community.
Somaliland has taken several halting steps towards the implementation of a full democracy and a functioning government.
Somaliland has its own justice system, currency, security and police forces, and foreigners people are welcome to visit somaliland.
Somaliland deserves international recognition--maybe at least for start like Taiwan level . There needs to be some kind of timetable from the African Union to show the immense progress Somaliland has made,
Abdistade Elmi
Somaliland Community Of Australia Sydney
Somalilander
4 February 2011 5:17AM
Sorry I meant 80% of the £80m (US$130m) aid will go to Somaliland, which is £64m. The rest of the aid will go to Somalia to help displaced families.
Of this £64m, 50% will go towards Somaliland police and military. When Mr. Mitchell was questioned by local media--why Britain decided to boost its aid for Somaliland (under the aid for Somalia), he told them Britain is changing its foreign aid policy and no longer places to provide aid for developing or self-reliant nations such as China.
In all he said, Britain gave aid to 102 nations. Aid that use to go to China can now be diverted to poorer nations such as Somaliland.
The Somaliland government on its behave accepted to create a joint-account with the Gov of Britain, so Britain knows its tax payers money are going to the right institutions and people.
AnatolyKasparov
4 February 2011 11:40AM
Somaliland is, indeed, an African success story. And like the other ones (and yes, there are others too) it doesn't get nearly as much attention as it deserves - whilst the hellhole to its south, of course, gets much more..........
Of course, that is inevitable to some extent (bad news always sells) - but we should never forget that nonetheless. I understand how the "realpolitik" arguments in favour of not recognising Somaliland have held sway until now - but given events in nearby Sudan, maybe a rethink is underway, and this visit is a small consequence of that??
Let's hope so :)
Jeneral28
4 February 2011 3:32PM
Anti aid people: I wonder where you were whne aid was channelled to non devleopmental means in the Pergau Dam affair.
That said, this aid to Somanliland should be used for development and not security purposes
geoff1963
4 February 2011 4:03PM
mR I AM KEEPING MY MONEY OFFSHORE TO AVOID PAYING TAX!!
MAYBE SOMALILAND HAVE A TAX FEE BANK THERE AS WELL, TALK ABOUT MIXING BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE.
Somalilander
4 February 2011 7:21PM
The Conservative and the Liberals are friends of Somaliland. During the Conservative/Liberal Winston Churchill, sent a large British force to liberate the country from the Italians, who invaded it with a force of 25,000.
After the Italians were defeated in East Africa, in 1943 Somalilanders fought in Burma with the British against the Japanese.
Basically the Conservatives and the Liberals know how to run Britain and stand be side it's friends unlike the lazy incompotent Labour Party that does nothing but waste tax payers income on useless thigs.
We are ready to fight together again today against extremists and other elements. So funding the security forces is crucial, there are people who want to harm Somaliland and Britain, dont be naive about it.
agarow
4 February 2011 8:52PM
This is very important step that the U.k take toward to Somliland. Since Somaliland is peacefull, andDemocracy. I hope these funds will help them to build new schools, hospitals, and roads.
nickmavros
4 February 2011 9:24PM
"Andrew Mitchell, the international development secretary, talking to female police officers in Somaliland this week."
Says Mitchell: "I like the choice of the colour blue!"
Police Officer: "Yeah! We got the idea from your corrupt party in the UK!"
FowziKamal
4 February 2011 10:16PM
Kudos to Conservative & Liberal Polices in Somaliland:
It is about time that the newly elected British coalition government has recognized the strategic importance of Somaliland. Somaliland can and is willing to collaborate with Britain in the area of regional security, antipiracy operations, and containment of extremism in the Horn of Africa. Western countries had ignored Somaliland for twenty years, while focusing on Counter Terrorism in the region and propped up a corrupt and defunct TFG in southern Somalia.
Britain has a moral responsibility to assist its former colony who stood and fought shoulder to shoulder with them in World War II. Furthermore, Somaliland is a democratic state in the midst of und should be rewarded for demolishing fifty thousand fighters in 1990s. Somaliland could be undemocratic region and will be a more reliable and strong partner in the Horn of Africa. British taxpayer’s money will not be wasted but rather be used to strengthen weak institutions in Somaliland and will set off a robust self sustained projects’ that will enhance both social as well as economic self reliance and conversely add to its overall development.
Fowzi Kamal
Liquidfire
3 February 2011 10:05PM
A brave guy.