Ibro
When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.
Somalia's foreign affairs minister is expected in Washington today for a week-long diplomatic trip aimed at negotiating a way out of the political crisis.
In early April, Somalia's ambassador to Washington, Ali Sharif Ahmed, hired US lobbying firm LFA Holdings. Its president and founder, Luis Aleman, was given two tasks: help the Somali government develop a strategy to attract new US direct investment and to call on federal authorities, especially the two houses of Congress, to facilitate a visit to Somalia by US legislators.
It's perfect timing for this $150,000 lobbying contract set to last 6 months and which may well have to expand its remit. Somali Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdirazak is expected in Washington this week to negotiate a way out of the crisis with the State Department. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expects a firm commitment from Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, on the establishment of a clear electoral calendar.
On February 8, Farmajo's term expired without any elections being held to choose his successor because the presidents of two of Somalia's five federal states could not come to an agreement. On April 12, parliament voted to extend his term by two years, causing an international outcry.
Since the weekend, the Somalian capital Mogadishu has been the scene of fighting between loyalist forces and Farmajo's opponents.
Aleman is familiar with the Horn of Africa, having been the CEO of US importer Ethiopian Wild Coffee, since 2013. In 2008 he had a short stint with private equity firm Sycamore Capital Corp.
Ravaged by civil war, political instability and the presence of the Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabaab, Somalia is struggling to attract new investors, despite growing needs in sectors as diverse as infrastructure, agriculture, energy and manufacturing. So far, these needs are mostly covered by Turkey, which is the country's main supplier of foreign investment.
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In early April, Somalia's ambassador to Washington, Ali Sharif Ahmed, hired US lobbying firm LFA Holdings. Its president and founder, Luis Aleman, was given two tasks: help the Somali government develop a strategy to attract new US direct investment and to call on federal authorities, especially the two houses of Congress, to facilitate a visit to Somalia by US legislators.
It's perfect timing for this $150,000 lobbying contract set to last 6 months and which may well have to expand its remit. Somali Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdirazak is expected in Washington this week to negotiate a way out of the crisis with the State Department. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expects a firm commitment from Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, also known as Farmajo, on the establishment of a clear electoral calendar.
On February 8, Farmajo's term expired without any elections being held to choose his successor because the presidents of two of Somalia's five federal states could not come to an agreement. On April 12, parliament voted to extend his term by two years, causing an international outcry.
Since the weekend, the Somalian capital Mogadishu has been the scene of fighting between loyalist forces and Farmajo's opponents.
Aleman is familiar with the Horn of Africa, having been the CEO of US importer Ethiopian Wild Coffee, since 2013. In 2008 he had a short stint with private equity firm Sycamore Capital Corp.
Ravaged by civil war, political instability and the presence of the Islamist terrorist group Al-Shabaab, Somalia is struggling to attract new investors, despite growing needs in sectors as diverse as infrastructure, agriculture, energy and manufacturing. So far, these needs are mostly covered by Turkey, which is the country's main supplier of foreign investment.
SOMALIA : Farmajo ready to negotiate with US - 27/04/2021 - Africa Intelligence
Somalia's foreign affairs minister is expected in Washington today for a week-long diplomatic trip aimed at negotiating a way out of the political crisis. - 4/27/2021
