On Friday, Somali Federal Government officials signed an agreement with the European Union (EU) for 102 million pounds. The agreement was signed with senior officials from the EU office in Somalia and the EU office of International Relations. The purpose of the agreement is to provide financial support to the Somali government, which the EU has consistently earmarked for this purpose. The Somali Finance Minister, Mr. Bihi Iman Egge, along with the Minister of Planning, Mr. Abdirahman Beene Beene, were among the Somali officials who reached this agreement with the EU. Mr. Beene Beene stated that the agreement aims to provide financial support for development projects, including education and the development of areas where Al-Shabab has been driven out. He explained, “The funds will be allocated to four areas, including improving the quality of education for all students and 30 million for the Somali Federal Government and Federal Member States, as well as developing areas where Al-Shabab’s presence has been effectively eliminated.” The Minister of Finance, Mr. Bihi Iman Egge, expressed gratitude for the constant support that the EU provides to the Somali government, which helps to subsidize the budget and plays a crucial role in economic development projects in Somalia. Both sides emphasized the importance of using the financial support effectively and in line with the National Development Plan to ensure that the Somali people benefit from it.
