blank

Voice of America ®

A Trusted Source of News & Information since 1942

About VOA | Contact VOA News

  • Wednesday, 10 February 2010
  • Latest News:

News RSS Feeds RSS Feed

Somali Official Laments Lack of Adequate Financial Support

Share This

A Somali official says the international community's lack of sufficient financial support could derail his government's efforts to stabilize the country.

Shabab militia patrol Bakara Market in Mogadishu (Oct 2009 file photo)
AFP Photo
Shabab militia patrol Bakara Market in Mogadishu (Oct 2009)

Deputy Interior Minister Bashir Abdi said that international donors need to fulfill their financial pledges.

"The international community promised a lot of money and up to now that money has not come in the government hands, and as you know if you don't have money to pay to the police (and) every social part of the government, it's very tough to make sure that the government can do all the things it wants to do," he said.

Abdi said at the moment, the government lacks funds for its initiatives, including money for troops who are battling hard-line Islamic insurgents. 

Somalia's new Prime Minister, Ali Sharmaarke (C) speaks to journalists following arrival in Mogadishu 26 Feb 09
AFP Photo
Somalia's new Prime Minister, Ali Sharmaarke (C) speaks to journalists following arrival in Mogadishu 26 Feb 09

He said in response to the international community's call for transparency, President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's government recently signed an agreement with Price Water House Coopers, an international accounting firm, to handle all donor funds.

Abdi lamented the insurgents receive funds from terrorist organizations which he says emboldens them to continue launching offensives against the government. 

He added President Ahmed's recent trip to Europe to seek additional financial has yet to yield results.

"That is true when the president went to Europe there were a lot of promises … up to now the money has not (gotten) in. But the government at the same time has its duty and is trying to survive and make sure that it get the whole Somalia into their hands…but the funding has not been as fast as it should be," Abdi said.                                

So far the Somali government has realized only three million



out of the 58 million dollars pledged by the international community. 

Two million dollars came from the United States, and another million from the Arab League.

President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's government has been battling hard-line insurgents who have vowed to overthrow his administration and implement a strict form of the Sharia law.