By Goth Mohamed Goth
The government of Somaliland has announced that it won’t allow the federal government of Somalia to administer funds meant to be used in Somaliland and won’t be recipients of such funds this after being angered by a recent decision by the African Development Bank to grant the federal government of Somalia a loan package meant to finance the cost of the Somaliland Statistical Capacity Building, and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this Grant to payments under the contract for Consultancy Services.
In a press statement release By the Somaliland Ministry of National Planning and signed by the Minister of National Planning Dr. Sacad Ali Shire we have been working on this project for the last 2 years and its sad to see the African Development Bank awarding the SFG the loan without even considering the facts on the ground.
“We had previously agreed with African Development Bank that we shall own the utilize the loan through a single vehicle (SDF) which donors can support Somaliland’s development goals this in regard to country-ownership, use of country systems, harmonisation with Somaliland’s National Development Plan, and mechanisms for a gradual movement to government systems and which means we for the last 23 years being using our own arrangement hence the decision not allow the federal government of Somalia to act on our behalf in anyway or form, he said.
The Minister of National Planning added , “GoSL has expressed its own preference to channel external support and commitment by GoSL to improve aid effectiveness and move to innovative delivery mechanisms in ways that are tailored specifically to the Somaliland context.
AFDB Press Release on the Somaliland Statistical Capacity Building Project Grant
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
(CONSULTING SERVICES)
Somalia
Somaliland Statistical Capacity Building Project
Financing Agreement reference: P-SO-KFO-004
Project ID No.: 5900155005952
1. The Federal Republic of Somalia has received financing from the African Development Fund toward the cost of the Somaliland Statistical Capacity Building, and intends to apply part of the agreed amount for this Grant to payments under the contract for Consultancy Services.
2. The services included under this project are: institutional reform and organizational change of the Central Statistics Department of the Somaliland Ministry of Planning and Development, staff short and long-term training, and upgrading of existing information technology network of the Central Statistics Department through supply and installation of server based network. The Director of the Central Statistics Department of the Ministry of Planning and Development is responsible for the implementation of the projects. The execution of the project is expected to take one year.
3. The Somaliland Ministry of Planning and Development now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing these services. Interested consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc.). Consultants may constitute joint-ventures to enhance their chances of qualification.
4. Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection procedure shall be in accordance with the African Development Bank’s “Rules and Procedures for the use of Consultants” of July 2012, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org.
5. Interested consultants may obtain further information at the address below during office hours 8 hours to 17 Hours.
6. Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by 2 May, 2014, 2014 at 17 hours local Somalia time and mention “Somaliland Statistical Capacity Building Project”.
Somaliland Ministry of Planning and Development
Attn.; Mr Hassan Jam
Hargiesa, Somaliland, Somalia
Tel: 252-63-442-4980
E-mail: hassanjama196@gmail.com]
With Copy to
Fragile States Départent,
African Développent Bank
BP 323 – 1002 Tunis Belvédère Tunisie
Attn : Mr. Bruno Boedts
Manager, ORFS.1
TEL LD: (216) -71 10 16 53
FAX: (216) -71 33 55 37
E-MAIL: B.BOEDTS@AFDB.ORG
Thanks to Minister of National Planing for refusing such impossible and shameful act of the Africa Development Bank. the Africa Development Bank must respect our agreement and laws of the Somaliland Republic.
if the Africa Development Bank deals with Somalia for their own affairs and country its up to them but Somaliland's issues and Affairs its to our government to decide and deal with the International community, no way our neighboring country (Somalia) can be discussed to our own issues and funds.
waraabe, ciilna ha uqabin, calalna ha u tuurin. Who cares about Somalia? what is important is that we grab any appurtunity that will enable us develop Our copuntry. Dear minister of planning in Somaliland, just grab that funding and get on With it.
Any development money that goes through the Federal Government will not reach its final destination. I have been involved in the aid industry for Somaliland/SOmalia for the better past of the past 15 years, and I know that is a fact! The EU has realized that, and Turkey has recently announced similar move to cut off direct aid from the government of Somalia. It is therefore surprising that the AFDB, who is like a typical African institution cares more about dictating rules then understanding the existing reality on the ground and prevalent arrangement between Somaliland & international communities, has just issued such a shameful announcement.
We commend and stand by the Minister of Planning for this decision!!!
Somaliland Administration is too slow. How come they didn't request grant themselves first. We are looking for recognizing yet the Africans can not distinguish Somaliand from Somalia.
What do you mean too slow? Don't you understand what the concerned Minister has said?
Quote
"In a press statement release By the Somaliland Ministry of National Planning and signed by the Minister of National Planning Dr. Sacad Ali Shire we have been working on this project for the last 2 years and its sad to see the African Development Bank awarding the SFG the loan without even considering the facts on the ground." Unquote
Apparently, the current Minister of Foreign Affairs of Somalia has worked out the diversion of that loan through Somalia as he was the guy responsible of ADB's projects for Africa, and as a result of his action, he was then rewarded to be the Somalia's FM.
If ADB itself has any credibility and has signed a prior agreement with Somaliland then this action is a discredit to their name.
If Somalia's politicians have interfered in a prior agreement between ADB and Somaliland this will have a direct impact on the ongoing 2-State dialogue process.
Lastly these funds are non accessible to the Mafia Somalia-Italia politicians and if it does reach their hands then they cannot siphon it since they cannot conceal it. That money will be given back to it's originator.
Net achievement = Political/Financial Sabotage