UAE delivers third batch of food aid to Somalia following resumption of relations

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The third of humanitarian aid from the UAE arrived in Mogadishu today as relations between Somalia and the Gulf nation rebuilt following about two years of unease.

Humanitarian Affairs Minister Khadija Diriye received the 40 tonnes of aid which included food and medical supplies. The donation is the third since Prime Minister Mohamed Roble re-engaged the Federal Government with the Government of UAE.

The second batch arrived on February 8 while the first consignment was received by PM Roble on January 7. Roble travelled to UAE on January 30 where he met senior administration officials and apologised for the seizure of the $9.6 million by security agents in 2018.

Roble pledged to return the money but Banaadir Regional Court, reportedly on the order of outgoing President Mohamed Farmaajo ordered the freeze ‘pending investigations’.

Farmaajo, an ally of Qatar has opposed the resumption of relations between Somalia and UAE and has personally rejected the return of the money.

Close to 8 million Somalis are facing starvation this year according to the UN.