PM’s office signs $7.2 million deal in response to Farmajo’s decree

The government has previously appealed for funds for the election from the international partners as the country faces a financial crisis and could not pay expenses to the voting exercise.

News Keydmedia Online
9 August 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The UN Office in Somalia announced Monday it is contributing $ 7.2 million to the Somali election amid a fresh dispute between the country's top leaders.

Somali government spokesman Mohamed Ibrahim Moalimuu said PM’s office signed the grant with the United Nations mission in Somalia [UNSOM] as part of donor funding for the country's elections.

This comes a day after Farmajo issued a presidential decree blocking the government from signing deals both local and international during the election period, a move that the PM rejected on Sunday.

The government has previously appealed for funds for the election from the international partners as the country faces a financial crisis and could not pay expenses to the polls.

The outgoing officials did not mention whether the Somali government would contribute to the budget allocated to hold the election, which needs at least $15 million.

The election for the Upper House has recently begun in the country with Jubaland and Southwest states holding the first rounds of the vote. The PM hopes the election to be concluded soon after deadlines passed.

So far, nine senators, including two women have been elected, four from the Jubaland and five from the Southwest, and the remaining three states have yet to submit the list of the candidates vying for Senate seats.

KEYDMEDIA English