Federal minister blasts international aid to Somalia, demands change 23 Dec 23, 2012 - 9:50:35 PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia Dec. 23, 2012 (Garowe Online) - A Cabinet minister in Somalia's federal government has blasted international aid operations operating in the war-torn country and is demanding new changes, Garowe Online reports.
Ms. Maryan Qasim Aweys, the Somali minister for social affairs, told a press conference in Mogadishu on Saturday that international aid "does not adhere to the needs" in Somalia.
"Somalia has emerged from the transitional period. The Somali Federal Government wants to see new changes and expects all international agencies to present their plans and consult with the Somali Federal Government prior to aid operations in the country," said Minister Maryan.
The federal minister said that "aid operations should match the expectations designed by the Somali Federal Government," adding that aid agencies have in the past operated without oversight from Somali authorities.
This is the first strong statement from Somalia’s new federal government regarding aid operations in Somalia.
