When the British loved Europe… to place their agents
(BRUXELLES2 - exclusive) His name is Philip (*), is a lawyer. It has everything to please. " Brilliant, smart, endearing » according to those who knew him. In a word, attractive. Of Somali origin — from Somaliland — more precisely, he speaks Somali. And he is recommended by London, which seconded him to the European mission. He is therefore the perfect recruit to serve in the European mission responsible for helping the Somalis to rebuild their maritime security force (EUCAP Nestor).
But, in fact, detached, Philip, is... very detached! He works solo within the mission. His position within Nestor is, in fact, an ideal "cover" for carrying out other activities. He thus on his own initiative circulated legal analyzes stamped "EU" in which he gave pride of place to Somaliland's claims in terms of an "exclusive economic zone" (EEZ). This prompted some "engraving explanations". The Somali central government was furious. And it was necessary to go "to the front" to deny any official nature of these documents.
As a trusted source tells B2, “ he was very likely in contact, at least occasionally, with certain "services », British or others... One day another more annoying incident occurs for the European Union. He is caught in the act by the Djibouti police, who are not really known for being lax... Only problem, Philip is normally based in Kenya, several thousand km away and has nothing to do Djibouti, but really nothing to do there, even less at the Kempinski hotel, the luxury hotel in the Djiboutian capital.
The excuse of "holidays to meet family" does not deceive anyone. Do not take the Djiboutians for c... They put it in the fridge on the grounds of " threat to state security ". The charge is serious. We don't mess with the state in this little corner of the Horn of Africa. Djiboutians have smelled a link with the Boreh affair, a Franco-Djiboutian businessman, opponent of President Guelleh and convicted in absentia. In fact, Philip simply acted, on behalf of a British law firm, to find some contacts and collect elements to defend Boreh.
Grilled, Philip did not last long. He was "repatriated" to London. Not for a long time. Another assignment was found for him, a more direct coverage, as an expert on Somaliland, within the UNODC, the United Nations program on drugs and crime.
NB: The fact that the Member States have within the missions "men" (or women) of their own in the European missions is a fact known to all and even accepted. This is even the raison d'être of certain seconded personnel, whose main objective is sometimes to "report" to their capital on the progress of the mission, the local context, etc. Being in a European mission, with some diplomatic immunity is excellent cover. On the other hand, carrying out "under cover" operations aimed at destabilizing or contradicting the host States is rarer and, to say the least, dangerous.
(Nicolas Gros-Verheyde)
