Somalia decides to keep holding UAE funds for entering Mogadishu illegally

MOGADISHU, Jan. 08 (YPA) – The Somali presidency said that President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo ordered the Central Bank of Somalia to keep the Emirati funds held since 2018; for entering Mogadishu “illegally”.

Farmajo said: “The money entered the country in a way that violated the financial system in Somalia and international financial law, and at that time posed a threat to the security and stability of the country’s economy.”

He added, “Based on this, it is not possible to release UAE funds by order of the Prime Minister without its approval of the country’s laws.”

On Friday, Somalia formally apologized to the UAE for confiscating aid in 2018, thanking Abu Dhabi for the humanitarian support provided to Mogadishu.

Somalia is facing a major crisis after President Farmajo’s decision at the end of last December to stop the Prime Minister on charges of assaulting Mogadishu’s property.

The Prime Minister’s office indicated, in a statement, that Robley received Emirati aid from the Emirati ambassador to Mogadishu, Mohamed Ahmed Al-Othman, to help those affected by the drought.

“Robley apologized to Abu Dhabi for confiscating UAE funds (9.6 million dollars) in Mogadishu airport in April 2018,” the statement said. The office noted that the money is with the Somali government fund, pledging to return it to Abu Dhabi as soon as possible.

YPA