Summary of the allegations
During the week, Swedish public broadcaster Ekot reported that in December 2023 Sweden reached a confidential agreement with Somalia. The plan allegedly redirected 100 million kronor from Sida’s aid budget to projects close to the Somali prime minister, in return for two Swedish citizens who were forcibly deported to Somalia. The reports have sparked questions about how foreign aid can be used to influence domestic policy abroad and about transparency within Sweden’s aid system.
What happened, as reported
The aid was split into two streams: 40 million kronor routed through a World Bank fund, and 60 million kronor via UNDP, the United Nations Development Programme. Of the UNDP funds, more than half was reportedly channeled to partners connected to the Somali prime minister’s office. Sida official Ulf Källstig acknowledged familiarity with the 100 million plan but said he had not seen a written agreement. He described the arrangement as a matter between Sweden’s foreign ministry and Somalia and declined to describe it further.
The government’s role and decision process
Källstig stated that the choice to back the UNDP project was a government decision and was formalized by a change to Sida’s Regulation Letter in May 2025. He added: “We would consider UNDP a strong partner in strengthening state-building and governance in Somalia.” When asked about other options, he said there were none evident to him.
Sida’s response and governance framework
According to Sida, its mandate is to implement development interventions under the strategic directions provided by the government. The agency says it has not received instructions to keep the deal secret and maintains follow-ups with UNDP roughly every other month, with reporting to reveal what works and what does not. Sida stresses that it cannot guarantee freedom from corruption, noting that criminal activity is always a risk in development work, but asserts that monitoring and due diligence are part of the process.
Is the link to the Prime Minister’s Office a concern?
The proximity to the Somali prime minister’s office has drawn skepticism from critics who worry about governance and accountability. Sida explains that engagement with state actors is a necessary part of state-building and that such collaboration is intended to help Somalia lead its own institutions responsibly. The agency argues that strengthening governance and leadership should, in time, produce a more capable Somali state.
Implications for accountability and anti-corruption
Observers note that the arrangement—whether real in detail or only alleged in the media—highlights tensions between rapid development objectives and careful governance. The lack of a publicly disclosed written agreement has intensified calls for greater transparency around how aid is allocated and monitored when money flows through international partners and government offices abroad. Sida maintains that all aid should be administered with integrity, transparency, and robust oversight, and that regular reporting via UNDP and other partners will reveal what works and what needs adjustment.
What happens next
As this case unfolds, the key questions revolve around governance, transparency, and the ultimate impact on Somalia’s state-building trajectory. Will ongoing monitoring and independent evaluations satisfy calls for openness, or will new disclosures be required to reassure the Swedish public and international observers?
