Sweden "secret" $10 million aid-for-deportation deal with Somalia

[Afar indhood]

Swedish Radio exposes "secret" $10 million aid-for-deportation deal with Somalia

Mogadishu (HOL) — Sweden is facing growing political backlash and a diplomatic rift with Somalia after investigations revealed a secret agreement that tied 100 million kronor ($10 million) in Swedish aid to Somalia’s acceptance of deported Somali nationals.

www.hiiraan.com

The absolute state of this country

Sweden’s ambassador in Mogadishu reached an agreement in December 2023 with Somalia’s Prime Minister to redirect 100 million kronor from Sweden’s aid budget into a Somali-Italian development fund. In return, Somalia would take back citizens that Sweden wanted to deport

The deal triggered a year-long conflict between Swedish agencies and Somali authorities. According to Ekot, Somalia’s government insisted on control over the funds through the prime minister’s office

When Sweden’s development agency SIDA objected, citing accountability concerns, tensions escalated. To compromise, Sweden transferred 40 million kronor through the World Bank, but the bank later blocked further payments. As disbursements stalled, Somali authorities suspended deportations, accusing Sweden of breaching the agreement.

The standoff culminated in May, when Somalia expelled Sweden’s aid chief, Anna Saleem Högberg, declaring her persona non grata. Somali officials told Ekot they viewed her as “standing in the way of the money.” Shortly afterward, the Swedish government amended SIDA’s mandate, releasing the remaining 60 million kronor via a UNDP-administered program tied to the Somali prime minister’s office. Deportations then resumed.

 

[El Nino]

Full support to Sweden, they shouldn’t even pay a single penny. Imagine paying 6 million USD to corrupt officials for them to accept their criminal citizens. They should just drop them at the airport.