Persecution watchdog International Christian Concern has urged caution over the US government issuing financial aid to Somalia, despite the country’s persecution of Christians and support for Hamas.
On Tuesday 1st October, the US government approved $68.5 million to the country on the Horn of Africa. In November 2023, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre described Hamas as a group of “freedom fighters”, rather than terrorists.
Barre said: “Hamas is an Islamic liberation movement. They are righteous … [We’re] now being forced to accept that Hamas is a terrorist group. We’ll never accept this. We’ll never say this.”
Somalia places top of the Corruptions Perception Index 2023, a list compiled by non-profit corruption watchdog group Transparency International, and is the seventh most dangerous country for Christians on the Open Doors watchlist.
Open Doors states: “In recent years the dangers facing Christians appear to have worsened, as Islamic militants have intensified their hunt for Christian leaders. Attempts to establish or re-open churches have been met with fierce resistance.”
It is illegal to share any religious belief other than Islam in the country.
The government humanitarian branch, US Aid states: “Persistent food insecurity, recurrent climate shocks, and widespread violence have adversely affected Somalia since 1991, driving large-scale displacement and humanitarian needs.
“The current conflict - primarily related to al-Shabaab attacks… continues to restrict trade and market activities and contribute to displacement and food insecurity.”
International Christian Concern says the decision to grant financial aid to the country is “questionable at best”.