Support Our Multi Agency Remittance, Somalia Leaders Say

In a statement, the leaders called for both local and international communities to support the government’s efforts in promoting Somali remittances.

The leaders said they strive to achieve a “Somali-led, Somali owned and tailor-made solution for Somalia that captures all the peculiarities of a sizable challenge.”

The STFR, read the statement, is mandated to connect and accelerate actions to address interests to remittances and formalise Somali financial sector to create a sustainable solution and a financial infrastructure.

The composition of its membership includes government institutions, private banks and remittances.

Government closes banks

The initiative is said to have received overwhelming endorsement from the Council of Ministers who threw their weight behind national and international efforts to resolve the remittance crisis.

The statement came as the Kenyan government closed 86 bank accounts belonging to individual and entities suspected of funding terror activities in the country.

The Hawalas that are facing closure include: Amal Money Transfer, Dahabshil Money Transfer Ltd, Tawakal Money Transfer Ltd, Bakaal Express Money Transfer Ltd, Juba Express Money Transfer Ltd, Iftin Express Money Transfer Ltd, Hodan Global Money Remittance and Exchange, Amana Money Transfer Ltd, Kaah Money Transfer Ltd, Continental Money Transfer Ltd, Kendy Money Transfer Ltd, Flex Money Transfer Ltd and the UAE Exchange Money Remittance Ltd.

The crackdown on financial institutions is one of the several measures that the government has implemented to tame terror activities in the country.

Speaking after meeting President Uhuru Kenyatta, North Eastern leaders led by Majority Assembly Leaders Aden Duale said they will reveal names of terror financiers within a week adding that they will engage residents of the region to stem out suspected members of Al Shabaab hiding within the community.

By Benjamin Wafula