Hiiraan Online
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Mr. Ellison, the Minn. Democrat who was with visiting Somali delegates led by prime minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke assured them that he’d spare no effort to keep Somalia’s lifeline open.
“I will continue to work with Members of Congress and government agencies to keep the remittances lifeline to Somalia open, ensure that all Somalis are safe and secure in their country, and advocate for
Somali refugees in Dadaab.” said the 49-year –old democrat congressman in a statement from his office on Thursday.
It’s not the first time that the first Muslim congressman who has long been advocating for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq urged his government to reopen Somali money transfer companies.
Following a visit by the US secretary of State John Kerry in Mogadishu, Keith Ellison warned the US not to waste Somalia's 'hard-fought' fragile gains by closing Somalia 'lifeline' remittance services
US banks that handled Somali money transfer services have terminated contracts with the companies over complicated banking regulations and anti-terror legislation.
Somali Hawalas deliver hundreds of millions into the horn of Africa each month, including funds for aid agencies supporting the poor people in the impoverished horn ofAfrica nation.
Recently, the Kenyan government also closed the accounts for 86 individuals, organizations, hotels and remittance companies it accused of being involved in terrorism activities.
International organizations including the United Nations and humanitarian workers warned that shutting down Hawala companies will have a huge impact on Somalia as it would cut off a vital lifeline for Somalia which has no formal banking system.