Somaliland: Funds Passed through Mogadishu not Acceptable- Planning minister

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As the Administration in Hargeisa declines to receive Funds Channeled via a Third Party State this time round the SFG in Mogadishu

Somaliland Planning minister Dr Saad Ali Shire announces rejection of ADB funds chanelled through the government of the neighbouring country of Somalia

By: Osman A.M.

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – Somaliland is a sovereign nation which is bordered by three other independent countries namely Djibouti, Ethiopia and Somalia

This was stated by the Somaliland planning minister during a press conference in his Hargeisa offices where he informed that the Government has declined to engage a third party State when it comes to donations/aids meant for its development projects.

National planning minister Hon. Dr. Saad Ali Shire while responding to documents forwarded by African Development Bank (ADB) has insisted that the administration shall not receive aid that has been channeled via the Federal Republic of Somalia emphasizing that ADB should follow suit of other donor communities when dealing with Somaliland by financially engaging them directly without the hands of another country.

While dispatching a signed press release to media houses Dr. Shire reaffirmed upholding the clauses of prior contract that his administration has entered with the ADB which was to the effect of directly channeling the monies to Hargeisa’s administration not Mogadishu’s.

In the press release the minister stated,” Following the advert appearing on African Development Bank’s website dated 7th March 2014 states that the ADB shall avail funds for monitoring and evaluation of past two years projects impact in somaliland to the Somalia federal Government-SFG in Mogadishu for its subsequent disbursement to somaliland authorities in Hargeisa”

In the battle for good internationally acceptable governance

The national planning minister was categorical that as per the initial agreement that his administration entered with the Bank it was agreed that the said funds shall be held in the Bank’s account pending the completion of the development projects and subsequent approval from the technical advice of the experts tasked with that role.

Dr. Shire was clear that the Somaliland Government would not receive the monies which have passed the hands of the corrupt regime of Somalia’s Government contrary to the prior agreement of their contract with the Bank as he stressed on the fact that Somaliland was sovereign country and should be treated as such and to the contrary do away with the handouts passed through Mogadishu.

“Though we welcome good gesture of the continental financial institution in undertaking part in various development projects in our country we shall however not accept receiving funds from any third party nation whatsoever” roared Dr. Shire to the eyes of the world.

The minister reminded any State or institution that wants to take part in development initiatives in Somaliland to engage it directly rather viewing it to be under the apron of its former partner now turned foe.