Japan to offer $35.2 million to Somalia for security, infrastructure

Tuesday 09th February, 02:13 AM JST

TOKYO —

Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told his counterpart from the Somali transitional government on Monday that Japan will offer $35.2 million for police assistance, infrastructure maintenance and other purposes, a Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.

Prior to the talks in Tokyo, Ali Ahmed Jama Jangeli, the minister of the Somali transitional federal government that was established in 2005, called for Japan’s help in ensuring security in the country which is a hotbed of Islamist rebels and pirates, telling a press conference that the people of the African nation need alternative options to support themselves.

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14 Comments

Lunchbox at 07:32 AM JST - 9th February

Something smells fishy ... Hmmmm whale meat maybe? IWC votes? Okada: No, no ties I promise, nothing to hide, we just decided we'd like to give you a whole lot of money.
mummet at 08:56 AM JST - 9th February

alot of money for a government that controls nothing
FreeganSlayer at 09:16 AM JST - 9th February

Japan to offer $35.2 million to Somalia for security, infrastructure

Now can we have our boats back please?
Gaijinocchio at 09:25 AM JST - 9th February

Japan will offer $35.2 million

Please tell me there's someone following this money or this the estimated cost of physical aid, and isn't straight currency. J-politicians aren't that foolish, are they?

The article itself states Somalia is a hotbed of rebels and pirates (and likely corruption), so if it's currency, there's no guarantee the money will be used for it's intended purpose.
borscht at 10:28 AM JST - 9th February

No one's following the money but watch in the next few weeks or months if suddenly Somalia 'gives' a whaling vote or a discount on oil or China ups their foreign aid to Somalia. Altruism is not something the Japanese government is famous for, especially in a third-world, warlord-ruled area.
combinibento at 10:41 AM JST - 9th February

This money will go straight to the warlords.
sharky1 at 10:51 AM JST - 9th February

Stupid is as stupid does...How many unemployed Japan residents could you help with that money? How about small islands in Japan that run out of drinking water every year?? What about the homeless in Japan??? What about the failing nenkin (social security) system???? Why waste money on misfits overseas when there is much to do at home?????
michaelqtodd at 12:15 PM JST - 9th February

Used to study Somalia a lot when I helped refugees from there. There are 15 tribes and no government.These people call themselves a "transitional government" but basically they have very little power and influence. Rest assured however they are dodgy and corrupt.

Like the rest of you guys here I wonder what Japan is up to...
unscrejects at 12:49 PM JST - 9th February

sharky1: a mind is a terrible thing to waste. This is not free money. It is a loan. It is not cash - never is. The Somalis get to buy riot gear, police pick-ups etc from Japan. The industry for civil defense is on the brink of collapse - China et al are taking over. This is designed to help the un-employed in this industry. Somalia will pay back no less than double the amount. If people don't understand ODA they should sit this one out.
stirfry at 06:35 PM JST - 9th February

security, infrastructure

, pro-whaling votes, virgin forests for chopsticks, ivory
jimaale at 10:49 PM JST - 9th February

Michealgtodd, you are wrong. Somalia has indeed a government in place. They are not corrupt.

This financial help by Japan towards the Somali security infrastucture is desperately needed. Somalia will be thankful for this assistance. This has nothing to do with vote-buying. Somalia really need support by the International community. As a Somali national, I cannot thank Japan enough for this support. I would kindly ask Japan to make good of this promise very fast because the need is so great. Any assistance is of no value if it is not delivered as soon as humanly possible.

Piracy is rave in Somalia, which have the longest coast in Africa. To solve this international issue, Somali government has to be helped to stand on its feet again. And what better way to that than offering assistance to security forces?

On behalf of all Somalis, I once again thank Japanese government for their assistance.
MrUSA at 04:46 PM JST - 16th February

This is a waste of money considering Japan is critically lacking highways.