{{Somalia ambassador in Rwanda is now engulfed by new allegations of diverting funds meant for supporting vulnerable Somali children who were affected by drought, to his personal businesses, Great Lakes Voice, reports.}}
Apparently in one of the big humanitarian scandal in the region, More than Rwf33Million almost $55000 collected from Rwandans through “Rwanda Youth for Somalia” campaign to help starving Somalis children, who were afflicted by hunger caused by drought and conflict in 2012, was allegedly pocketed by Ambassador of Somalia to Rwanda, His excellence Cabdullahi Sheikh Maxamed.
On 26 October 2012, the cheque was handed to Somalia ambassador Cabdullahi Sheikh Maxamed by Minister of Youth and ICT, Philbert Nsengimana and the youth delegation leading the campaign.
When Great Lakes Voice, launched an investigation last year, Mogadishu officials denied receiving any money from Rwanda. Senior officials in “Villa Somalia” [state house] denied knowledge of support from Rwanda youth.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Mogadishu Abdullahi Dol Mohamed talked to Great Lakes Voice editor, in March 2014, saying that there was no single coin to come from Rwanda. Adding that, it was his first time to hear about the said campaign.
“There was no penny from Kigali. It’s my first time to hear about the youth from Rwanda helping starving Somalis,” Abdullahi Dol Mohamed said.
In an interview with Somalia ambassador, he said the money was distributed to hospitals in Mogadishu and other parts of the country. “The money I got from the youth was distributed to help hospitals in Mogadishu and Maliki.”
But a few minutes later, the ambassador is on record saying he channeled the money directly to the then president, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed.
“The money you are asking about was given to hospitals in Mogadishu and Maliki,” Cabdullahi Sheikh Maxamed added that “the names of the hospitals are classified due to the reason that other hospitals would question why they did not profit from the support.”
The former coordinator, Rwanda Youth for Somalia, Jean Nepo Sibomana said it “would be bizarre and outrageous.”
“We collected this money hoping to reach the miserable Somalis children who were affected by drought, and then if our small support did not get to the beneficiaries it would be embarrassing,” Sibomana added.
According to Sibomana, it’s necessary for Rwandans and Somalis to know how the money from the campaign was used. “The embassy must come up clearly with facts to explain how the money was used,” Nepo Sibomana said.
It’s not clear how Amb. Cabdullahi spent the cash, but sources allege that the Ambassador used the money to buy a car.
Rwanda Minister of Youth and ICT, Philbert Nsengimana preferred not to comment as he didn’t have sufficient information on the case but promised to comment on a follow-up article.
Somalia Premier told Great Lakes Voice in Kigali, that he is not aware of any money from Rwanda.
“I am not aware of the youth money to Somalia. Sorry, I have no idea of what you’re saying,” Abdiweli sheikh Ahmed said.
article first published by {GreatlakesVoice}
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