Dahabshiil and Hormuud Accused of “Legitimizing Forced Displacement in Somalia” Through Language

[Deeq A.]

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — Do-gooders giving with one hand and taking it back with the other hand is a common feature of the corporate philanthropy.

Hormuud, a leading conglomerate, and Dahabshiil Group, a financial services behemoth, have made donations to Somalis forcibly displaced from Las Anod by Somaliland authorities. Through its foundation Hormuud contributed $200,000 to efforts to resettle displacement victims in the South West State, matched by $300, 000 by Dahabshiil Group. Both companies said they made donations to people “deported from Las Anod”.

Dahabshiil Group and Hormuud are of the opinion that Somalis forcibly displaced from Las Anod are deportees, and inadvertently support Somaliland government’s ‘deportation’ narrative.

“It is misleading to describe forced displacement as deportation. Dahabshiil Group and Hormuud communications team should know better. Through this very use of language the two companies are inadvertently legitimizing forced displacement” said Hassan Ali, a radio journalist in Mogadishu.

UNHCR’s Protection and Return Monitoring Network (PRMN) reported that “the number of people who have been forcibly displaced from Laas Caanood and surrounding areas has risen to more than 7,250.” Somaliland government claimed it deported foreigners from Somalia despite Somaliland-controlled districts being a part of the Federal Republic of Somalia.

“Dahabshiil and Hormuud should not be politicizing their timely and commendable donations” added Hassan.

© Puntland Post, 2021

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