Boris Johnson tells leaders of war-torn Somalia to ‘take responsibility for their own country’ — as PM pledges £21million in aid
Millions are on the brink of starvation in the East African country
BORIS Johnson told the leaders of war-ravaged Somalia they must seize control of their country because they can’t “rely on outsiders forever” as Theresa May announced a further £21million in aid.
The Foreign Secretary urged ministers to “take responsibility for their own country” ahead of the London Somalia conference yesterday.
He said the famine threatening Somalia can be avoided if world leaders act “early and decisively”.
Action is urgently needed to help the millions of people on the brink of starvation in the African country, plagued by conflict and drought for years.
It came as the PM announced the UK will contribute £21 million over the next two years to train and mentor Somalia’s army and police.
The PM said yesterday: “If Somalia is a foothold for terrorist groups like Al Shabaab and Daesh, if global trade is hijacked by pirates or if millions are continually displaced in a desperate bid to escape poverty and drought, the impact of instability in Somalia is felt across the whole region and the wider world.
“As a global Britain we will continue to drive co-ordinated international efforts that increase global security and protect our values around the world.”
Mr Johnson added: “At this moment over six million Somalis need emergency food supplies and nobody can forget that the last time Somalia was blighted by famine in 2011 — 260,000 people died.
“If we act early and decisively that disaster can still be avoided.”
Somalia has frequently topped the Fragile State Index due to threats from Islamic extremism, piracy and famine.
In the wider area of East Africa aid experts estimate around 16 million people face the threat of starvation.
The last time there was famine anywhere in the world was in Somalia in 2011, when the 260,000 died.
Most were women and children.