Somali Foreign Affairs Docket Spends More Than U.S. $1 Million in 2013 Alone

A close source to the central bank of Somalia has revealed to the Radio Dalsan that the foreign affairs minister Hon. Fowzia Hajji Adan and surrounding high ranking government officials in her office have spent close to one million US dollars on international travels and accommodations alone.

Mrs. Haji Yussuf is reported to have attended more than 50 high level international meetings this year alone in which she has brought home tangible developments including the new deal in Belgium, recognition of Somali government by US, Somali conference in Turkey and among others.

Abdisalam Abdulle an economist in Mogadishu believes that despite the diplomatic success by Mrs. Hajji Yusuf office to the country some of the huge expenditures were spent when the citizens of the country needed most.

“Some of this money was used when there was the flooding and hunger in the large parts of the country particularly in central Shabele region, so the question is was it wise to hire luxurious jets to attend a conference in a broad while tax payers were suffering , certainly not.” he said.

“It is not wise to use such huge expenditure bearing in mind the little tax payer money in the country.” he added.

It is believed that out of 50 international travels there were some which could have been avoided due to the high taxpayers cost and insignificance to the national interest however most of the travels were of great importance to both political and economy development of the larger Somalia.

Fowzia Hajji Yusuf is the first female foreign affairs cabinet secretary in the history of Somalia government and lots of people believe that her appointment to the docket was historic and led to a great contribution particularly by spear heading the improvement of the Somalia’s international image.

Allafrica.com