December 2019

EDITORIAL | Two things happened this week, all of which affected Somalia. The IMF Board approved a financial scheme that could see the institution cover its share of debt relief for Somalia. The financing plan, which includes subsidies, will be used to settle part of the debt owed by Somalia, prompting Mogadishu to start redressing lending with lenders in a scheme called the Heavyly Inebeded Poor Country Initiative (HIPC). "It is a positive step towards debt relief that could be a good opportunity for Somalia to…

EDITORIAL - Somalia's journey from state collapse in 1991 to revival, Finance Minister Abdirahman Duale Beileh claimed at a forum recently in November, is routinely linked to negativity: refugees, collapsed systems, insecurity and humanitarian aid; even when better things happen. Today, about two million Somalis live abroad, according to various estimates from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Program. Some may be refugees, but others are skilled in academia, business, and industry; to send…

EDITORIAL - The regional bloc, the Intergouvernemental Authority on Development (IGAD), is seeking a rebirth that can help it overcome its weaknesses as an integration and peace-building organization. The bloc from eight member states says it wants to be active on several fronts by first ensuring that its leadership changes follow a regular pattern. It began last week when Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok was elected president and took over the transition from his Ethiopian counterpart, Dr. Abiy Ahmed. An…