Somali Magazine 30 Aug 2023- The Federal Government of Somalia and the United States have formally signed a $92.6 million Development Objective Assistance Agreement (DOAG).
The deal, signed on Tuesday, represents a big step forward in the two countries’ long-standing alliance.
The signing event was attended by Somalia’s Planning, Investment, and Economic Development Minister, Mohamud Abdirahman Sheikh Farah, Finance Minister, Bihi Iman Egeh, and Mr. Shane Dixon, the United States’ Chargé d’Affaires to Somalia. Minister Sheikh Farah acknowledged his appreciation for the historic partnership, saying,
“I had the honour of co-signing this historic DOAG with the United States Government.” This alliance seeks to strengthen our resilience, boost economic development, and improve governance.”
The US Embassy emphasised the importance of the arrangement in a tweet: “Honoured to stand alongside Minister BeeneBeene & Minister Bihi Egeh to sign an important assistance agreement for $92.6M in USAIDSomalia development funds.”
This agreement builds on 17 years of US development aid to Somalia, as well as our shared goal for resilience and commitment to a thriving future.”
The DOAG is a strategy framework that harnesses both nations’ shared interests in order to foresee a strong, stable, and prosperous Somalia.
The funding will be channelled towards important areas including as infrastructure, education, and healthcare in order to accelerate Somalia’s overall growth. This pact not only supports Somalia’s economic revitalization efforts, but it also serves as a catalyst for international engagement.
The US has long been a strong partner to Somalia, moving beyond humanitarian aid to provide military help in the ongoing war against Al-Shabaab insurgents.
The United States has played a critical role in assisting Somalia’s development aspirations during the last 17 years. This new agreement strengthens the current basis of US development aid and enhances both countries’ shared vision for resilience.
Somalia has made an important step towards realizing its development goals with the signing of this DOAG.