MOGADISHU – The European Union (EU) recently acquired large swath of land from the Somali Federal Government, with the intention to build a major based next to Mogadishu’s International Airport.
The EU had proposed an introductory policy which prohibits the employment of Somalis for their missions, a move which many say reverts to racial stereotypes and prejudices that Somalia’s colonial powers – Britain and Italy imposed before the country regained its independence in 1960.
In confidential documents obtained by Dalsoor, the European Union’s External Action Service instructed the prohibiting of Somalis from being employed by EU Delegation in Somalia with the exception of the construction workers for the organization’s headquarters in Mogadishu.
Analyzing EU’s confidential documents, Jamal Osman, a Somali-British journalist who produced the video report said that the proposal intends to ban anyone with a Somali origin whether they are dual citizens or Somali nationals from working at the EU future Mogadishu Headquarters.
“The contractors shall not employ Somali national or personnel of Somali origin for the provision of the service on-site except for the construction phase.” EU said in confidential documents circulated among the organization’s employees.
“Anyone who’s a Somali origin – cannot work there. They cannot work as cleaners, security guards or even general workers.” he said.
In addition, Ahmed Ali Kheyre, a Somali legal expert said that the new EU policy violated the organization’s foundation, and the Lisbon treaty which clearly stated that the principle of EU is to respect international rules.
“If they are saying a Somali cannot be hired for the job – it’s clearly against the international and European rules.” he said
European Union officials have yet to comment on the video report.
After decades of civil unrest Somalia has transformed itself from a “failed state” into a recovering state. The Western-backed Somali government is battling to rebuild the impoverished country, part of that rebuilding process includes providing jobs for the youth that are between 17-30 and accounts for 70% of population.
The question is will internal policies like the one reported by Jamal Osman, which are illegal according to international rules lead to more policies from foreign interests operating in Somalia? Or is it time for Somalia to make its own policies regarding discrimination against its citizens? Only time will tell.
The EU had proposed an introductory policy which prohibits the employment of Somalis for their missions, a move which many say reverts to racial stereotypes and prejudices that Somalia’s colonial powers – Britain and Italy imposed before the country regained its independence in 1960.
In confidential documents obtained by Dalsoor, the European Union’s External Action Service instructed the prohibiting of Somalis from being employed by EU Delegation in Somalia with the exception of the construction workers for the organization’s headquarters in Mogadishu.
Analyzing EU’s confidential documents, Jamal Osman, a Somali-British journalist who produced the video report said that the proposal intends to ban anyone with a Somali origin whether they are dual citizens or Somali nationals from working at the EU future Mogadishu Headquarters.
“The contractors shall not employ Somali national or personnel of Somali origin for the provision of the service on-site except for the construction phase.” EU said in confidential documents circulated among the organization’s employees.
“Anyone who’s a Somali origin – cannot work there. They cannot work as cleaners, security guards or even general workers.” he said.
In addition, Ahmed Ali Kheyre, a Somali legal expert said that the new EU policy violated the organization’s foundation, and the Lisbon treaty which clearly stated that the principle of EU is to respect international rules.
“If they are saying a Somali cannot be hired for the job – it’s clearly against the international and European rules.” he said
European Union officials have yet to comment on the video report.
After decades of civil unrest Somalia has transformed itself from a “failed state” into a recovering state. The Western-backed Somali government is battling to rebuild the impoverished country, part of that rebuilding process includes providing jobs for the youth that are between 17-30 and accounts for 70% of population.
The question is will internal policies like the one reported by Jamal Osman, which are illegal according to international rules lead to more policies from foreign interests operating in Somalia? Or is it time for Somalia to make its own policies regarding discrimination against its citizens? Only time will tell.
