MP Abdillahi Hashi Abib in his role as a lawmaker making sure that Global Partnership for Education (GPE) doesn’t intentionally or unintentionally allow GPE donor funds for Somalia be defrauded by Somalia’s Minister of Education has responded to a letter from GPE where apparently GPE claims that they have no responsibility for legal compliance for their funds and that the MP should instead deal directly with the Minister of Education.
In response to that statement, MP Abib writes to GPE’s Padraig Power, “The Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education has consistently ignored all oversight requests and has refused to appear before the subcommittee on education for a public hearing. His actions are reminiscent of an authoritarian figure, effectively controlling the leadership of the House of the People to prevent any member of parliament from bringing a motion against him. This manipulation undermines the very essence of parliamentary oversight and accountability.”
MP Abib then demands GPE to respect the constitution of Somalia and take the following action points immediately or face the consequences:
1. Commitment to Legal Compliance: GPE must consult its legal department and provide a clear written statement confirming its commitment to not participate in any actions taken by the Minister of Education that violate the Federal Republic of Somalia’s constitution. The constitution clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of education as the duty of the Federal Member States of Somalia.
2. Removal of Misleading Information: GPE should promptly remove any reference to “Somaliland” from its website, recognizing that Somaliland is part of Somalia. Additionally, funds allocated for the SSC State of Somalia must be directed to the SSC State Ministry of Education, not to Somaliland.
3. Assurance of Accountability: GPE must assure that it will not support or enable any actions by federal government officials that violate the constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia.
MP Abib then warns GPE officers, “Failure to address these concerns will leave me no choice but to bring a motion against GPE to halt the project implementation until GPE abides by and respects the constitution of the Federal Republic of Somalia. Our country is not a Banana Republic where organizations can willingly violate our constitution or enable or embolden federal government officials like the Minister of Education, Culture and Higher Education to our rule of laws.”
MP Abib concludes his letter to GPE by urging them “to take these concerns seriously and provide clear, decisive answers and a concrete plan of action. The Somali people deserve better, and it is imperative that we restore public trust and ensure that all donor funds are used effectively and ethically.”
Contributed to by Daljir staff in Nairobi and Garoowe.
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