Post-Brexit UK’s Africa Strategy in Peacebuilding Process: the Case of Somaliland
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Date
2019-06-01
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The major purpose of this study was to assess the post-Brexit UK Africa strategy. This study
employed a qualitative research technique and qualitative content analysis of coded data. The UK
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and individuals in Somaliland working closely on
Peacebuilding and governance issues responded to the open-ended survey questionnaire on
Somaliland security and stability. According to the results of this research, UK has been the
biggest actor in Somaliland support for development through the UK AID program. However, the
UK's considerable commitment to help regional peacebuilding with the Somalia Strategy with the
government in Mequadisho has posed a threat to Somaliland's completed peacebuilding, as this
comprises the UK's policy of direction in recognizing Somaliland statehood. Post-Brexit UK
Africa strategy is promised to take higher risks and accept lower returns to deliver in the toughest
areas in the continent such as the Sahel region. The strategy is promised to give opportunities for
economic development in the most difficult environments, helping tackle the causes of instability,
insecurity and conflict. However, implementing the strategy is anticipated to take more time and
will not benefit Somaliland Peacebuilding process in a different way than before until after a few
years‘ time. Moreover, post Brexit UK Africa strategy will contribute directly to some of the
positive ‗shifts‘ towards constructive engagement and conflict outcomes, because the strategy put
priority in re-structuring how the UK is previously situated to respond to security and stability
area. This study concludes that the legality of Somaliland will continue not being the primary
agenda in post-brexit UK Africa strategy. However, there are hints when conducting this research
that the UK acting alone without the EU may strengthen old colonial ties with countries such as
Somaliland. From the Somaliland side, the country is busy in making the country stable and secure
to show Somaliland‘s importance to the international community a secured region and expects this
to extend to state recognition. However, there is no sign for State recognition in the UK politics, at
least not yet. As a result, it is preferable for the post-Brexit UK Africa strategy to engage and for
the Somaliland government to comprehend the shift in strategies as well as the challenges and
opportunities that it will bring to situate themselves.
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Keywords
Brexit, Peacebuilding, New Africa Strategy, Security, Somaliland