Donors set conditions for additional funding for Somali elections

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The United States, Britain and Norway have set tough conditions on funding of Somalia’s Lower House elections scheduled to commence soon.

The three donor countries said the additional funding requested by the Somali government amounting to $3.7 million will be released only after two conditions

The first tranche of the funding will be released once the elections are seen to be progressing in a “meaningful and credible way” in at least three states.

The second allocation will be also be issued once at least two-thirds of seats have been filled in all polling stations. The three countries also urged Somalia to ensure that the 30% quota for women is recognized, adding that the country should note that they are not able to provide further financial support to the elections beyond the current allocation.

The trio also demanded all the election fees from candidates be deposited at the Treasury Single Account (TSA) in line with the Public Financial Management Act. And that all funds must be accounted for.

Somalia had set its election budget at $27.2 million but the Office of the Prime Minister and the Federal Elections Independent Team (FEIT) requested an additional $3.7 million for election management costs, polling and public information.