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US Threatens Aid Cuts to Somalia
The United States has threatened to make significant cuts in the financial assistance it gives to Somalia because of political bickering by its leaders, officials said.
The U.S. Embassy declined to comment on the reported threat of an aid cut. In a statement this week, Washington said it was concerned about "recent political turmoil" in Somalia and that plans for a no-confidence vote "do not serve the interests of the Somali people." Washington also this week announced it would not attend an international conference on Somalia next week in Denmark, saying political divisions are distracting Somalia's leadership. "I think they're basically saying if you want more money and support from us, you need to fix these problems," said E.J. Hogendoorn, an Africa expert at the International Crisis Group. Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed have feuded since Mohamud last month rejected a Cabinet reshuffle by the prime minister. The president has been trying to call a no-confidence vote in parliament, and the U.N. has said it's concerned about vote buying allegations surrounding the vote. The U.S. gave $58 million to Somalia in development assistance in this fiscal year and an additional $271 million in military assistance for the Somali national army and the African Union force in Somalia. Posted by: Steve White 2014-11-15 |
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