The risk of corruption is so obvious, and that the money is being abused is obvious to us who have worked with these issues, says Wilo Abdulle Osman, who has worked with return issues in Somalia, to the radio.
According to Ekot, the agreement concluded in December 2023 led to a conflict between Sweden and Somalia. Among other things, because Sida refused to pay out the money to a fund with clear links to the Prime Minister.
Clear links
The payments of 100 million kronor in aid were delayed and eventually 40 million was paid to a fund at the World Bank and 60 million to a project under the UN organization UNDP but with clear links to the Prime Minister's office.
After the revelation, the Center Party has called the Minister for Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa (The Moderate Party) to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, reports SVT News.
If it is true that the Swedish government has made a secret agreement with the Somali government, it is very serious, it is hair-raising, says Anna Lasses, the Center Party's foreign policy spokesperson, to SVT.
"Not to be used as a bribe"
She says that aid should go to things like children's schooling, democracy projects and food.
It should not be used as a bribe to throw people out of Sweden who one does not want here for one reason or another.
Ekot has been in contact with the former ambassador and Sida, who have not agreed to an interview. Minister for Development Cooperation Benjamin Dousa responds that the government has linked aid and migration to increase returns, but that it is Sida and the embassies that are responsible for the implementation of aid.
Sida states that the government made the decision to provide support through UNDP.
