Somalia: PM names ministers, flies to U.S. for IMF talks

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somali PM, Hassan Ali Kheyre has left Mogadishu for Washington DC on Sunday for talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank officials, Garowe Online reports.

The Prime Minister, accompanied by Ministers of Finance and Planning as well as Auditor General and NISA director will attend a summit on Somalia’s debt forgiveness and economic recovery that hosted by IMF and World Bank.

"I’m departing for the USA today accompanied by top Gov officials to attend series of spring meetings with International Financial Institutions, Senior US GOV officials & other partners of Somalia, with a view to putting more impetus into our national reforms agenda," said Somali PM in a Twitter post.

Somali authorities are seeking an international debt cancellation which is believed would allow the Horn of Africa country to receive international assistance and revive its defunct infrastructures.

Somalia’s external debt is about $5.2 billion, according to the IMF. It has not made a service or amortization payment since civil war broke out more than 25 years ago.

According to Transparent International's 2019 report, Somalia remains the most corrupt countries in the world, but, the country’s president says fighting corruption remains his government’s main priority.

In December of 2017, the United States has announced that it would cut military aid to Somalia due to massive corruption, says that it couldn’t account for funds meant to assist the military.

- New ministers appointed -

Shortly before jetting off to the U.S., the premier has appointed three new ministers to fill vacant posts in his cabinet which are constitutional affairs, labour and water, and energy, his office said in a statement.

Salah Ahmed Jamac was moved from Labour and Social Affairs Ministry to the constitution, replacing Abdi Hosh Jibril who passed away at a hospital in Dubai last month following an illness.

Sadik Warfa named as new Minister for Labour and Social Affairs while Fowziya Mohamed Sheikh becomes Energy minister to fill the docket fell vacant after the resignation of Lafta Gareen who became Southwest State president last December.

All three new ministers are members of the country's Federal Parliament.

GAROWE ONLINE