It is also helping to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis – almost a third of the Somalis most in need of aid are currently in areas under al-Shabaab’s control, with extremely limited humanitarian access as a result.
In the long term security will depend on the presence of strong and capable Somali armed forces, backed up by transparent and accountable governance capable of delivering the services people need. The work of helping to build these institutions is ongoing, and we must do everything we can to support this process.
For the UK, there is also a need to ensure that when we leave the EU our support for Somalia’s future remains as strong as it is today.
The connection may not be obvious. But the fact is that the EU is one of the world’s largest donors of humanitarian assistance to Somalia, and it is EU funding that has helped sustain the African Union mission there. The EU literally pays the salaries of the soldiers fighting al-Shabaab.
As a member of both the UN Security Council and the EU, the UK has been able to play a leading role in co-ordinating international assistance for Somalia. So as we prepare to leave the EU, we need to think carefully about how best to maintain British leadership on Somalia as an undiminished force in years to come.
The support the Prime Minister expressed for Somalia this week is obviously welcome. But her failure to even acknowledge the potential challenges of Brexit, much less come up with a plan for tackling them, was a deeply disappointing omission.
A few months ago the former UN Special Envoy for Somalia, British diplomat Nicholas Kay warned that: ‘If by the time the conference in May happens we are having to sound the alarm and discuss the famine issue, that is going to be too late.’
Today, the threat of another famine in Somalia is ringing alarm bells. But it is not yet too late. Helping make sure that Somalia keeps moving forward on what Nicholas Kay described as the country’s ‘bumpy and difficult’ road towards peace and prosperity requires long-term commitment from the international community.
Strong British leadership will be as essential in future as it was in helping secure the commitments made in London yesterday. Our ultimate test will be in ensuring that these ambitious promises are fulfilled. There is little time to waste.
Liz McInnes is Labour’s spokesperson for Africa.