State governments demand more share in international aid

We control 90% of the country and 80% of the problems in our country play out in the regions but we receive less than 5% of international assistance coming into the country, federal member state leaders Wednesday told the Federal Government.

In a 16 point communique, the leaders accused Mogadishu of holding on to aid from international donors despite what they termed as the federal government’s limited responsibilities.

The leaders who had been meeting in Kismayu said the federal government should reconsider its international assistance distribution to ensure a fair share among the federal member states. They cited the pledge by Turkey in 2016 to construct 10,000 housing units for poor families in Mogadishu noting none of the regions stands to benefit from the same.

To push for a coordinated negotiation with the Federal Government, the leaders announced the formation of the Council of Interstate Cooperation (CIC) drawing membership from the five states namely Galmudug, Puntland, Jubbaland, South West and HirShabelle. Puntland Ali Gaas was elected the first chairman while HirShabelle president Mohamed Waare becomes the deputy.

The CIC agreement the leadership shall be rotational running for a term of one year and the deputy chair becomes the next term’s president.

In response to the development, President Mohamed Farmaajo took at a swipe at the leaders’ demands calling for cooperation while reminding the leaders the country was in a recovery state. “I want to remind you all that we must acknowledge that our country is on the path of recovery, and the only way we can achieve full recovery is through cooperation.” He also called for dialogue while remaining faithful to the constitution.