Somalia: Corruption surfaces over Turkish food aid in Puntland

SPECIAL TO GAROWE ONLINE-A Turkish aid ship carrying 3,500 tons of supplies including rice and sugar docked at Bossaso port on August 4. Garowe Online takes a closer look at how the food aid quotas were managed, and corrupt practices surfacing over the role of contractors in the diversion of 18,000 sacks that are being sold in Bossaso markets.

The food aid was intended to be given to vulnerable families in Puntland and flood-hit households in central Galmudug and Hiran regions, unveiled Puntland Ports and Marine Transport Minister Abdullahi Jama Salah.

Turkish government sent the tons of aid to Somalia as part of years-long humanitarian programme in the East African country via Mogadishu port.

GO has learned that Somali federal government and Puntland officials initially weighed in on selling the sacks of rice and sugar in Mogadishu. However, Puntland politicians in the federal government discovered the planned systematic theft, prompting for President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to exploit the delivery of food aid.

Puntland President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali offered businessman Ismael Abdisalan—who in exchange would receive 6,000 sacks of rice and sugar-- a contract to handle logistics process for the unloading of the aid.

Ali sought to request Somali Federal Government to facilitate port handling in his visit to Mogadishu, though Mogadishu-based federal government later turned down.

Galmudug and Hiran representatives have contracted out transportation to Aaran rental which would truck food into Adado and Beledweyne. Founded by Presidential officials, Aaran logistics is to in turn get 12,000 sacks of rice and sugar.

Garowe Online understands that Galmudug and Hiran officials tried to collude themselves in the diversion practice, and openly sell food on black markets.

A source noted that the plan was dropped for three reasons: “Among them are Aaran truck rental interests, outcry from local traders who have already grappled with hyperinflation and the government.”

Pavilions stacked with sacks of rice and sugar—some 18,000—were sighted drawing crowds in Bossaso port city by Sunday.

Meanwhile, Somalia’s State Minister for Interior and a female official tasked with the distribution of food assistance are pushing for Hiran and Galmudug quotas to be sold.

Puntland President’s confidant--Burhaan Dio Mio— who maintains close links with Turkish embassy in Mogadishu helped charter a ship for the Turkish food aid. Dio Mio worked with Ali during his tenure as Prime Minister and in recent years morphed into a broker that shuttles between Mogadishu and Nairobi.

Turkey is blamed for favoring President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud who is seeking re-election in 2016 polls. Moreover, critics allege that the Turkish aid was largely politicized, with just three months to go until Presidential election scheduled for November 7th.

GAROWEONLINE