Somalia faces budget pressure as Turkish support stalls
Delay of $30 million in Turkish budget support adds strain as Mogadishu readies a spending plan of more than $1 billion.
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MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government has confirmed a delay in budgetary support it typically receives from Turkey, with Finance Minister Bihi Iman Igeh saying the funds have not arrived this year as the calendar nears its end.
“In previous years, Turkey consistently provided budget support,” Igeh told reporters. “This year’s support, which amounts to $30 million, has been delayed. In earlier years, it was paid regularly.”
Igeh said Somalia has received most of its external budget backing this year from other international partners, naming the European Union, the United Nations and several friendly countries. The Turkish delay has stirred questions in Mogadishu because Ankara is among Somalia’s closest partners in development, security and humanitarian assistance.
The comments come as Somalia’s federal budget for the year — exceeding $1 billion — awaits parliamentary approval. The government is navigating wider fiscal pressure affecting both federal institutions and regional administrations, underscoring the importance of predictable donor disbursements to keep core services funded and reforms on track.
Officials did not provide a timeline for when the Turkish funds might be released. The government has leaned on other partners to bridge gaps, but late-arriving or lapsed commitments can complicate cash flow, delay payments and compress policy choices in a fragile fiscal environment.
- What’s new: Finance Minister Bihi Iman Igeh says a $30 million Turkish budget-support tranche that “was paid regularly” in previous years has been delayed this year.
- Why it matters: Somalia faces persistent fiscal pressure at the federal and state levels, and relies on external support to stabilize finances and sustain services.
- By the numbers: The federal budget exceeds $1 billion and is pending parliamentary approval.
- Who else is paying: Igeh cited the European Union, the United Nations and other friendly countries as the main budget-support providers so far this year.
Turkey has been a prominent partner to Somalia across multiple fronts in the past decade, supporting government capacity, security sector development and humanitarian operations. The budget-support component is a small but significant part of that relationship, valued in Mogadishu for its flexibility in meeting general government needs.
The government’s immediate focus is shepherding the annual budget through parliament while managing near-term financing needs. A clearer picture of external disbursements — including the Turkish tranche — will influence how aggressively authorities can execute spending plans over the remainder of the fiscal period.
For now, officials are signaling continuity: Somalia will work with a broader set of partners to meet obligations and protect essential services, even as policymakers seek clarity on when the Turkish funds might flow.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
