Harriet Mathews

Harriet Mathews

British Ambassador to Somalia

Part of UK in Somalia

23rd August 2016 Mogadishu, Somalia

UK’s work in Somalia

Over the next few months, I’ll be using this blog to share with you a little of my life and work here in Mogadishu.

This week I’ve been struck by the variety of my work. It won’t be a surprise to hear that we’ve been working hard on security and governance issues. They are staples of life in Mogadishu with the forthcoming elections, stability and security being the top of the agenda.

In the last few days I have met Deputy Prime Minister Arte, the Chair of the Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT), opposition groups, international diplomats (including SRSG Michael Keating, the new US Ambassador to Somalia Steven Schwartz and the visiting EU Special Representative to the Horn). I’ve also had high-level conversations about Somaliland’s elections (it isn’t all about Mogadishu!), and even had to spend time the Embassy’s maintenance (not an easy job with the punishing combination of sea air, sun and coral dust). But amidst a this melange of issues, the highlight has been hosting a reception for some of the organisers and authors of the Mogadishu Book Fair, and the book launch of Andrew Harding’s ‘The Mayor of Mogadishu.’

Last year the Somalia Stability Fund, to which the UK is the largest contributor, gave a small grant to help kick start the first Mogadishu Book Fair. I was amazed and touched by the images of young people queuing around the corner waiting to get in. This year the Book Fair was even bigger with thousands visiting each day, and over $20,000 worth of books sold. That is the Somalia that we are all working to support – one of aspiration and culture where people risk their lives for literature. And where a love of culture removes clan divisions. I love the well-established Hargiesa Book Fair (which we’ve also supported) and the vibrancy you see there. And now there is a Garowe Fair and rumours of others next year. It is wonderful, and it is the Somalia I like to talk about when I go back to the UK and people ask me “What is Somalia like?”

I also want this site to be somewhere where members of my team can give you a bit of a sense of what they do on a day to day basis, and how they find life in Mogadishu. The first piece is a personal view on the work we’re doing on security. Please give us your feedback and tell us if you think pieces are hitting the right note – we want this platform to give you the information you want to know.

22 comments on “UK’s work in Somalia

  1. That is good news to hear, Somalia growing without doubt and I wish to see that development going faster.

  2. Great work!
    I believe you are the only hard working ambassador for Somaliland/Somalia.

    I see a lot of your colleagues in Mogadishu and Nairobi repeat the same old mistakes of forgetting that Somalia is more than just Mogadishu. I know some ambassadors who have not left the secured buildings in Mogadishu.

    Again, thank you and your government’s support for Somaliland & Somalia.

  3. Thanks for your support and UK’s frienship work in Somalia is highly satisfied but due to upcoming election i would recomend you to support that Youth and Women get quota on the up coming 10th Parliment of Somalia.
    Excellence Ambasador Harriet thanks for your hard work.

  4. Thanks for your support and UK’s frienship work in Somalia is highly satisfied but due to upcoming election i would recomend you to support that Youth and Women get quota on the up coming 10 Parliment of Somalia.
    Thanks for Excellence Ambasador Harriet for your hard work.

  5. Thanks Madam Ambassador for the good work, passion and dedication to make difference. Your support is vital and crucial in terms and across all areas specially security and govornance. Somalia is a resourceful country and it can recover from the ashes and civil war and aftermath destruction and mayhem caused by tiny fraction of extremists. Education is also a vital sector for Somalia’s long term survival. As Gerald Hanley put it in 1947, and I quote ” …. if the doors of Education are openEd for them (Somalis), they will surprise themselves and rest of Africa”. We do appreciate your positive efforts and enthusiastic to contribute and we do value your presence.

  6. Your excellency – Ambassador Harriet Mathews
    I am very much impressed by the extent you and UK gov’t is keen to help Somalia stand on its feet. I believe you have seen how sincerely the Somalis are trying hard to rebuild their country and sensed the true aspiration of grass-root people who like any other people in the universe want peace tolive normal and see kids go to school.
    On security let me say again and again the bottom line to sustain stability rests with neighbouring countries they are the ones who are putting the fuel into the flames. Sure that is where the trouble is and we ought say to them enough is enough – Stop

  7. I am fully of admiration for all the work carried out by you and your team. Good luck with all your plans.

  8. You need to keep in mind that many Somalis believe that UK’s historic decision to give western Somalia to Ethiopian Empire had been the cause for East African Conflict. In other words, the failure of Somali state was the result of 1977 Ogaden war with Ethiopia, and that colonial border of yours costed us to pay higher price. UK therefore, need to compensate more.

  9. Dear Ambassador,

    These words are very encouraging indeed. We commend Her Majesty’s tireless support towards the reconstitution of Somalia which of course includes all the sub national entities from Hargeisa to Kismayu. I think this digital diplomacy is welcome and don’t be disheartened , my dear lady, for we are quick to criticise. We look forward to your continuous reflections in these trying times- the political transition will be wobbly and would more than any other time require international support to ensure the transition ushers in a political dispensation that will enjoy comprehensive legitimacy from the Somalis.

  10. Dear Ambassador,

    These words are very encouraging indeed. We commend Her Majesty’s tireless support towards the reconstitution of Somalia which of course includes all the sub national entities from Hargeisa to Kismayu. I think this digital diplomacy is welcome and don’t be disheartened for we are quick to criticise.
    We look forward to your continuous reflections in these trying time- the political transition will be wobbly and would more than any other time require international support to ensure the transition ushers in a political dispensation that will be enjoy comprehensive legitimacy from the Somalis.

  11. Iam very much pleased to see booming waves of social alterations with deep rooted collaboration between UK and somalia. Thank you ms Harriet the work you have done for somalia on behalf of your people.

  12. Thanks HE Harrriet
    You are doing good job for somalia and your country. I would like to ask what is your openion about Somalia stratigy in terms od election, security, economic development and relationship btw Somaliland and Somalia.
    Many thanks

  13. This is a good step taken to the right direction. I am know our British Embassy is fully informed and well aware that any concerted effort towards rebuilding Somalia would utterly end up in failure because of many reasons:

    1. The conspiracy of the neighboring countries, using African Union and IGAD platforms to keep Somalia (the status-quo).
    2. International Community’s approach towards reducing the rife corruption in Somalia, is glossy, toothless and ineffective.

    Proposition:
    I have been saying last 20 years, under the current situation Somalis can’t govern
    for the following simple reasons:
    1. Generations above 50 years old, mostly have a wrong concept and practice in governance and public services because they grew up in totalitarian culture that embrace governance is pursuing an individual interest, power status, stealing public money and corrupting educations and employment. A system they have inherited from Italians. You witness every day, that a minster, prime minister and president employs his/her close relatives in public offices.

    2. Generations between 20 – 40, were youngster or born during volcano eruption ( 1991 Civil Wars). This generation were hard done and heavily impacted by Civil Wars. They embarked a journey for better life. The lucky ones ended up in the US, UK, EU and Canada while others perished in crossing Sahara and Mediterranean Sea

    3. Those 20 years and below in Somalia have never seen or experienced proper governance and stability at all. The rest and elderly and pensioners who have no where else to go.

    Now, it is inconceivable for a sane human being to expect people with such chronic shortfall and inadequacy can circumvent the man-made and natural obstacles ahead? Are we waiting a miracle to happen?

    The solution is not solely the provision of finance and technical assistance. It is more to do that international community should come of age to understand it is a time to uproot the bad concept/practice in governance. This can only be done by putting Somalia under trusts-ship for 10 years – a time to prepare and grow new culture of good governance. The trustship should be under the care of influential countries with high standard in delivering public services and good humanitarian principles. i.e British Government along with member of Scandinavian countries and Canada.

    We are in a age of real global uncertainty where geopolitics changes unexpectedly. It would be huge mistake to keep Somalia under the current conditions. Failing to do this proposition Somalia will be in vicious circle and remain the same. And If Somalia keep failing, also international community would also fail. There’s no Win-Loose situation.

  14. I really appreciate the difficult environment with the uncountable challenges in Somalia that you are working, but I see many voices raise every day over the fairness and transparency of election, my recommendations to her majesty Harriet Mathews to consider closely to make sure the support of tax payers in UK to spent in the right way.

  15. I was in Mogadishu in 2012 in the run up to the end of the TFG and the establishment of the incumbent Federal Govt. I travelled with the police in soft’skinned vehicles and NSA without Amisom protection. I enjoyed a comprehensive examination of police facilities. I walked on Lido Beach with only a light police escort and I slept on the hill. As far as I can tell, security is no better 4 years on. It’s just different. Also no real progress has been made to one-person-one-vote. No census. No National Registry. These were discussed with Sheikh Sharif in 2012. Hassan Sheikh was appointed on a promise to make signuficant progress. While Internationals remain hunkered down at the (recently damaged) Airport complex and the Somali people, police and SNA live under-resourced, disempowered by foreign forces and in constant fear from Al Shabaab, democracy hasn’t a hope. Please, please work to empower Somalis to secure and run their country. They view other African forces as invaders, not liberators and former colonial internationals fuelling the hand-out mentality. Somalia has the resources to feed itself but Internationals hamper the incentive and ability to do so. Don’t feel the need to approve this post. I’ve said my piece. Good luck all. Stay safe. ‘Always have an exit strategy’.

  16. You are doing a great work in Somalia and Somaliland Republic. We thank You and the British Government.

  17. What about khaatumo state & when you are going to discuss its political problems with SFG? When you will stop somaliland aggression on innocent people of khaatumo? I’m not from the south I’m from the north specially khaatumo state ? You have created somaliland development fund can we have the same ( khaatumo development fund ) ! When you are going to play fair policy there! If there is justice there will be peace & development

  18. Many thanks indeed her majesty Harriet Mathews for great job well done and UK in general for your continued support and motivation in every aspect.Thank you once again for prioritizing the key elements that leads to stability of Somalia

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About Harriet Mathews

Ms Mathews joined the FCO in 1997 and most recently headed the Ebola Task Force. Ms Mathews is an Africa specialist and has held three other positions related to Africa,…

Ms Mathews joined the FCO in 1997 and most recently headed the Ebola Task Force. Ms Mathews is an Africa specialist and has held three other positions related to Africa, including the Head of East and West Africa Department. Ms Mathews has also been Head of Energy in the Foreign Office and has worked in Brazil, Israel and Afghanistan. She was awarded the OBE in 2005 for her work on West Africa.

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