Britain's thumbs up to Somalia mission

Visiting British Foreign Secretary William Hague has expressed satisfaction with the Amisom-led military mission in Somalia that has seen the troubled country show signs of recovery.

“The security situation has improved, I saw that for myself in Mogadishu yesterday (Thursday). Ninety-eight percent of the city is secured by AMISOM forces and TFG forces who have worked with them," said Mr Hague

The Foreign Secretary said Britain was pleased with the way Kenya has been in frontline in addressing the problems of Somalia and paid special tribute to Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF).

He made the remarks after a meeting with President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula in Nairobi.

Mr Hague, who arrived Kenya on Wednesday, added that Britain will support the ongoing diplomatic push at the United Nations Security Council to have Kenya forces join the African Union Forces in Somalia (AMISOM).

He said the UK backs the expansion of AMISOM and wants Somalia stabilised and its humanitarian development challenges addressed.

Mr Hague further said Britain had provided development aid to Kenya and Somalia to help stabilise the horn of Africa country that has been in trouble since the overthrow of dictator Siad Barre in 1991.

"There are signs of normal lives and people are going to the shops and moving around, and going to the beach and so on. But that of course means the challenge is now there to follow up,” Hague said.

Mr Hague said millions of Somalis now have an appetite for peace and development after years of war.

He however, he said, the challenge facing the international community is to ensure an improvement in quality of life in Somalia.

“We have the challenge of working closely together on Somalia, and know we have a moment of opportunity to bring about lasting improvement. It will be very difficult, it is full of danger,” Mr Hague said.

Kenya's Foreign Minister Wetangula said Britain has been a key supporter of Kenya’s internal security arrangement including police reforms.

“It is important to note that because of the challenges posed to Kenya by Somalia, the UK has been one of the key supporters in our internal security arrangement including support for security reforms, enhancing their capacity with equipment, and more particularly the reforms that were undergoing in the police force to make it more responsive to homeland security, ” said Mr Wetangula.

Mr Hague said the Somalia situation featured prominently during his meeting with President Kibaki, Mr Odinga, Prof Saitoti and Mr Wetangula.

Also discussed was the international conference on Somalia slated for London later this month.

The Foreign Secretary said the conference will discuss Somalia’s government transition expected in August.