DOHA – Qatar has denied allegations of funding for Somalia’s government politicians through intelligence chief Fahad Yasin, arguing that the allegations are “unfounded and ridiculous” in what could again trigger fierce opposition in the country.
For decades, Doha has often been mentioned in Mogadishu’s internal policies, but it has often blamed business rivals for “nurturing” propaganda in a way that jeopardizes her interests.
The allegations were made by former US Ambassador to Somalia Stephen Schwartz. Doha claims that it plays a constructive role in the country and gives FGS $ 20 million. Budget support in 2019.
In an interview with Voice of America, Somali Stephen Schwartz, who served as US ambassador to Mogadishu from 2016-2017, described the current Somalia situation as “dangerous and unfortunate” that should not happen in the “new millennium”.
He accused President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo of not working on an agreed electoral process during his four-year presidency. He was ambassador when Hassan Sheikh Mohamud was president before handing it over to Farmajo.
Schwartz’s statement comes just days after the United States and a number of Somalia’s international partners expressed concern after the lower house unilaterally extended President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s term for another two years without the upper house approving it.
The Somali government’s response to international partners’ statements about the illegal Farmaajo’s extension of the term has been very serious in a rhetorical force, relying on Qatar’s secret cash and military support from Turkey, Ethiopia and Eritrea, Schwartz claimed.
Schwartz said, “no doubt” that Fahad Yasin has powers beyond the control of the intelligence service. He is the political commander and channel for Qatar’s money to Somalia. This gave him a strong influence on FGS and Farmaajo. His role in politics complicates decision-making, he added.
Fahad Yasin is a close associate of Farmajo, and he has pushed for political talks in Somalia to the detriment of the opposition. In the past, the opposition has asked the government to fire him over “bias”.
AXADLETM
