Editorial

Paralysis and indifference at the heart of British policy towards the Horn of Africa

September 12, 2011   ·   2365912 Commentshttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2Fparalysis-and-indifference-at-the-heart-of-british-policy-towards-the-horn-of-africa-23659Paralysis+and+indifference+at+the+heart+of+British+policy+towards+the+Horn+of+Africa2011-09-12+09%3A14%3A32Frazer+Michaelhttp%3A%2F%2Fsomalilandpress.com%2F%3Fp%3D23659

When it comes to foreign policy and diplomacy few countries in the world today have such a breadth and depth of experience as does Britain. Centuries of commercial, military and imperial adventures has meant that policy decisions taken in London have impacted on nearly every corner of the globe. Much of Britain’s influence has been positive, or at the very least well intentioned, some benign, but there have been other episodes where London’s machinations have proved to be corrosive and at times destructive.

Post-1956 and the Suez Crisis Britain has endeavoured to shore up its position by slavishly following the quixotic foreign policy of the United States of America whilst simultaneously seeking safety in numbers by working in concert with fellow members of the European Union. Sadly these days those in London who are meant to formulate and oversee foreign affairs live in fear of initiating anything of purpose lest it show an independence of mind. Britain’s diplomats in training and regional specialist surrounded by the imperial grandeur of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) cringe before the altar of political correctness whilst viewing the world through the prism of post-imperial guilt.

Britain’s dealings with Africa and especially with the Horn of Africa illustrate its paucity of vision. Engagement at every level has taken on the appearance of tokenism. The UK has allowed itself to be pushed and relegated to the margins and has become a mere purveyor of Overseas Aid laced with sanctimonious twaddle. Invariably it defers to Muammar Gaddafi’s brain child, the African Union (AU), which ensures a complete inability to do the right thing. Countries such as Somaliland are the victim of Britain’s all things to all people diplomacy. Terrified of recognizing Somaliland lest it be censured by some of Africa’s kleptomanic leaders Britain prefers inertia occasionally brightened by a ministerial visit and a few warm words. Somalilanders deserve to know that some of the so-called policy makers at the relevant desk at the FCO almost resent having to take a vague interest in the Horn and seem to be biding their time until a more prestigious posting in the Orient or elsewhere hoves into view. It is a real tragedy that those charged with advising British ministers and formulating policy demonstrate such a total lack of commitment. They sit and expect to be rewarded for maintaining the status quo, whilst the world and especially the Horn is changing. British policy on recognition is little more than one of wait and see, desperately hoping a cluster of African countries will recognize Somaliland first. Its EU partners look to the UK for leadership on the recognition issue but instead receive the usual sophistry and semantics. Somaliland has done although has been asked of it over the last two decades and yet each time the goal posts are moved. At present the UK seems utterly incapable of behaving with courage and conviction.

Mark T Jones

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By Frazer Michael

Tags: African union, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Horn of Africa, Recognition, Somaliland