The Voice Of Somaliland: Fury As CARE International Withdraws Job Offer To The Wife Of Somaliland Opposition Leader

Thursday, March 23, 2006

Fury As CARE International Withdraws Job Offer To The Wife Of Somaliland Opposition Leader

London, March 23, 2006 (Somaliland Today)- CARE International has found itself at the centre of controversy last night after it emerged that it has officially withdrawn a job offer to Amina-Waris who has been the successful candidate for the vacany of a Team Leader in the company's office in Hargeisa, Somaliland.In an electronic mail sent to Amina yesterday, James Gatere, the Administration Manager of CARE Somalia and South Sudan stated in no uncertain terms that “the current office working environment has made it necessary for CARE to get a non-Somalilander as Team Leader” . The position has already been filled in by a Kenyan national who was among the candidates who applied for the post but couldn’t succeed it.

Reliable sources say that there was a government hand behind this move and that Amina was allegedly barred from taking up the post simply because she happens to be the wife of KULMIYE opposition leader, Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud Silanyo. Other reports say that CARE had always wanted to employ a non-Somalilander.

Earlier, CARE officials cited that the minister of Planning Ahmed Hajji Dahir had interfered with the recruitment process and advised them not to offer the job to a high profile woman from the opposition circles who is inimical to the government.

Mr. Dahir, who was immediately summoned to appear before the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee, denied having spoken to CARE officials about Amina. However, he said he had discussed with CARE about other issues.

Last night the stakes were raised high when the Deputy Speaker and other MPs took the matter to president Rayale himself. There was a yawning gap between the two sides and the MPs left the presidential palace in anger.

There are increasing calls from the opposition circles that CARE be expelled from the country.

Somaliland Today News Desk

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