Somaliland: The Controversial 2019 Budget

[Deeq A.]

The newly minted Somaliland Finance minister, Sa’ad Ali Shire, presented the 2019 budget to the Somaliland parliament. The budget having already received the approval of the Council of the Ministers, with the abstention of two members, contained several controversial measures.

The most controversial measure in the proposed 2019 Budget saw a new levy or tariffs on the media in Somaliland. According to the budget, Somaliland’s independent television stations, journals and internet websites will have to pay an increased or new annual fee to register. Some of the propose new fees are as high as $10.000 US per annum. These taxes appear to be, according to analysts, beyond the financial capabilities of many of Somaliland’s vibrant and vocal media.

The new measures have drawn the ire of both the Somaliland media, non-state organizations and human rights activist. According to these bodies, the proposed new levies are an attack on the freedom of the press in Somaliland.

In another development, the Somaliland House of Representatives’, (whose mandate has expired), Economic and Finance sub-committee has removed the new tariffs on the media from the proposed 2019 budget. The Economic and Finance sub-committee has also removed or amended several new tariffs pertaining to the ministries of Fisheries and Livestock, Rural Development and Transport.

The proposed 2019 Somaliland Budget contains an increase in spending on Agriculture, Education, Employment, Health, Public Works and Rural Development. Along with the usual hefty slices for Defence and Security, Presidency, Finance, Interior and other vital state bodies, there is a surprising increase for Somaliland’s “expired” parliament and extra funding for future national and local elections.

In a departure from previous Somaliland budgets, Minister Sa’ad has included a new measure to fund the safety of the food and medicine imported into the country.

The proposed 2019 Budget will be sent back the administration along with changes and amendments suggested by the Somaliland legislature

Qaran News