Deprivation ... a Somalian girl carries her brother past a soldier at KabassaArthur Edawrds/The Sun
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From TOM NEWTON DUNN, Political Editor, in Dolo, Somalia
BRITS were yesterday warned millions of pounds must be pumped into strife-torn Somalia to avert catastrophe.
The grim alternative to the highly controversial aid could be to send troops into a new war costing BILLIONS.
Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell delivered the stark warning — as he revealed plans for a small team of UK military planners to work in the country's capital Mogadishu.
Their mission to help African peacekeepers will not involve combat. It comes as Somalia is expected to replace Afghanistan as Britain's top overseas priority once operations against the Taliban end in 2015.
Mr Mitchell — talking to The Sun on a peril-packed trip to the nation's bandit country — explained why the Coalition's bitterly contested hike in aid spending is vital.
He said: "Somalia is on the same curve as Afghanistan was. There are more British passport holders engaged in terrorist training in Somalia than in any other country in the world.
"If we ignore Somalia then it will continue on its spiral, destabilising the region and exporting terrorism, piracy, drugs, people and disease."
He added: "It is a quarter of the cost to deal with these problems now rather than to send in the troops."
The lawless East African country has had no national government since the last one collapsed in 1991.
PM David Cameron is leading the drive to end a spiral of bloodshed and famine and has called a conference of world leaders in London next month to discuss Somalia. Mr Mitchell said the country had been in chaos for 20 years — with 14 initiatives by the international community petering out.
He said: "Enough is enough. We've got to see what we can do to stop this happening."
Smiles ... Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell meets Somali childrenArthur Edawrds/The Sun
The minister insisted the possible military mission "won't be hundreds of boots on the ground — that is not a role Britain is considering".
The Brits would advise AMISOM, a force of 10,000 soldiers from Uganda and Burundi ranged against al Shabaab Islamic extremists.
Mr Mitchell said: "We want to see AMISOM reinforced and built up so they continue that good work." He would not deny that British special forces units and MI6 spies are already in Somalia — saying: "Ministers do not comment on that."
Mr Mitchell had to get a special sign-off from the Cabinet Office for his trip — a first for a UK government minister — because it was so dangerous.
But he wanted to see British-funded aid projects first-hand even though it meant a last-minute switch in travel arrangements because of a terror bombing alert.
Guards ... troops protected minister on tripArthur Edawrds/The Sun
Somali soldiers and armed Scotland Yard bodyguards packed the jeeps that escorted us to the UN-run Kabassa refugee camp at the Somali border town of Dolo.
Scenes there highlighted why Mr Mitchell will today announce an extra £20million in British aid to improve health care for Somali women and children, £55million for more famine relief and funding for a new team to dispose of landmines.
Hel met mum-of-four Fatuma Adem, who walked her young family 17 miles to escape al Shabaab's killing sprees.
She collected her monthly 7.5 kilo extra ration of corn-soya mix to keep her two-month-old daughter Keyro alive. Then she told Mr Mitchell: "We appreciate so much what British people have done for us. Please don't stop what you are doing."
Development ... contributions by country
While other ministries have seen budgets slashed to tackle the crippling deficit, Mr Mitchell's Department for International Development has had its boosted by 34 per cent.
The move has triggered public uproar. But Mr Mitchell pointed out that Britain is on course to be the only country to meet a pledge by all G8 nations to spend 0.7 per cent of income on needy states by 2013. The UK aid budget this year is £8.7bn.
The minister hit out at other countries such as Italy — which spends only 0.15 per cent.
Plea ... Andrew Mitchell talks to The Sun's Tom Newton DunnArthur Edawrds/The Sun
Mr Mitchell insisted: "We have stood by the aid budget not only because it is the right thing to do but because it makes us safer in Britain.
"The development budget is a very good investment in our children and grandchildren's future security and prosperity."
We left Dolo after four hours. Mr Mitchell said: "Reading a million words about the situation is no substitute for seeing it for yourself on the ground.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/politics/article4095696.ece
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