British FM holds bilateral talks with African leaders on Somalia

Xinhua
Wednesday, May 08, 2013

British Foreign Secretary William Hague held bilateral talks with several African leaders during an international conference on Somalia on Tuesday in London.

Hague met Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and the two discussed how best to support the Somali government's priorities for rebuilding the country, British Foreign Office said in a statement.

Britain recognized Kenya's vital role as a neighbor of Somalia, as a troop contributor to African Union (AU) Forces in the country, and host to more Somali refugees than any other nation, the statement said.

They also discussed a range of bilateral issues and how Britain and Kenya would work together on regional security, prosperity and development.

Hague met Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and discussed how the international community could support the Somali government's priorities for rebuilding the country.

The Foreign Secretary also acknowledged the important role Ethiopia has played in bringing greater stability in Somalia.

During a wide-ranging and positive meeting, Hague and the Ugandan Foreign Minister Sam Kutesa discussed the Britain-Uganda bilateral relationship.

The two also discussed Uganda's leading role in efforts to bring stability in Somalia and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and trade and investment opportunities, according to the Foreign Office.

While meeting with Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Youssouf of Djibouti, Hague expressed his appreciation for Djibouti's contribution to bringing peace and security in Somalia.

They also discussed the strengthening of ties between Britain and Djibouti and commercial opportunities, ahead of the first Britain-Djibouti trade and investment forum.

An international conference on Somalia was held in London on Tuesday, where consensus were reached to provide security, justice and public financial management support to the Somali government as they rebuild their country after two decades of conflict.

The conference, co-hosted by Britain and Somalia, was attended by representatives from 54 countries and organizations.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud delivered the opening speech, putting up his government's Six Pillar Policy Framework on rebuilding the country and calling for international support.

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