Wikileaks: Somali-UK diaspora boost economy in Somalia

[Coeus]

Seen as a meeting point by many EU-based Somalians, the UK hosts significant communities in Cardiff, Sheffield, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Leicester Manchester, and the Eastern and Western suburbs of London. Hasan reports that the Diaspora has largely settled based on clan affiliation, with one clan generally dominating an area and limited interaction between the communities. This clan-based settlement has produced some localized conflicts, with young Somalians forming gangs along tribal lines and involved in inter-tribe ethnic violence. These communities tend to use inter- and intra-community mediation processes rather than formal UK justice systems, such as the police or courts, to resolve disputes.

4. Civil society and non-governmental organizations started by Somalians tend to serve only their individual communities. Local mosques and imams remain highly influential, but have no national affiliations or networks. According to Hasan's extensive survey, there are no national recognized leaders in the Somalia Diaspora or universally influential social groups. Other than a few Welsh MPs active in HMG on Somali issues (reftel), the Diaspora has extremely limited engagement with the central government and in national politics. The widely popular BBC Somali radio station, along with three other UK-based Somali language radio stations, one television station, and five weekly or monthly print publications, is the main source of information and principle social unifier for the community.


5.(SBU) With one of the lowest rates of unemployment amongst Britain's immigrant communities, the Somali Diaspora provides several hundred million USD in remittances per annum. There are 11 UK-based money transfer companies serving Somalia. Dahabshiil is the world's largest, according to Managing Director Dr. Saad Shire. Dahabshiil has been in operation over twenty years and transfers roughly USD 230 million per annum among Somali communities, with 90 percent of transactions returning cash to Somalia. The company has over 170 agents based in the UK, and it has branch offices and agents throughout Somalia and in other countries with large Diaspora communities. Transfer fees range between two and five percent, based on the sum transferred.

6.(SBU) According to Hasan, UK-based Somalians see these remittances as vital for the survival of their families, but also as a means to improve the Somalian economy. The Diaspora is primarily engaged in small private enterprises (like small grocery and goods shops and internet cafes) and the blue-collar service sector, largely due to lack of work experience, English language skills, and education.



7.(SBU) With the March 2008 launch of its Somali-language consumer advice leaflets about the DFID-backed 'Send Money Home' independent money transfer price comparison website (www.sendmoneyhome.org), DFID Minister for Africa Gillian Merron said remittances from UK-based Somalians are a "boost against the fight against poverty in Somalia." The research DFID contracted Hasan to complete on the Somalia Diaspora is meant to help DFID find ways to get the UK Diaspora more involved in Somalia's development.

[Cirwaaq]

It just reinforces the divisions that have always existed and the lack of interaction that has the somali people hostage to 20years of stateless anarchy.

Zero interaction between different comunities =

Even in the mosque we choose to not pray together

[kadarre]

f-king cuqdadyaal.

[qoraxeey]

[MujahidAishah]

Somalis lived based on tribal affliction....what a fuking load of bullshit somalis do not have a choice where they live you live where ever the council puts you... i have hawiye .. darood ..cadcad... and even "suspected" Midgaan neighbours .. I go to a mosque every tribe and people of different nationals .

teens do not make friends along tribal lines.. i have a friend that i thought was somali but turned out thier Eritrea

So a load of bullshit to me

[Coeus]

Somalis lived based on tribal affliction....what a fuking load of bullshit somalis do not have a choice where they live you live where ever the council puts you... i have hawiye .. darood ..cadcad... and even "suspected" Midgaan neighbours .. I go to a mosque every tribe and people of different nationals .

teens do not make friends along tribal lines.. i have a friend that i thought was somali but turned out thier Eritrea

So a load of bullshit to me

Shutup aisha!

[MujahidAishah]

Somalis lived based on tribal affliction....what a fuking load of bullshit somalis do not have a choice where they live you live where ever the council puts you... i have hawiye .. darood ..cadcad... and even "suspected" Midgaan neighbours .. I go to a mosque every tribe and people of different nationals .

teens do not make friends along tribal lines.. i have a friend that i thought was somali but turned out thier Eritrea

So a load of bullshit to me

Shutup aisha!

Fuck off you Sheegto "suspected HJ"

[Coeus]

Well ok im really Habar awal

[MujahidAishah]

Well ok im really Habar awal

@ Habar Awal

[Basra-]

"There are 11 UK-based money transfer companies serving, SomaliaDahabshiil is the world's largest, according to Managing Director Dr. Saad Shire."


Gee---what a reliable source of statistics----imagine the last name of the quot-er....

[qoraxeey]

hahah basra lool

[Coeus]

Well ok im really Habar awal

@ Habar Awal

[Cirwaaq]

"There are 11 UK-based money transfer companies serving, SomaliaDahabshiil is the world's largest, according to Managing Director Dr. Saad Shire."


Gee---what a reliable source of statistics----imagine the last name of the quot-er....

A shire is a traditional term for a division of land, found in the United Kingdom and in Australia. In parts of Australia, a shire is an administrative unit

[Basra-]

qora@looool u isaaq hater---qosol gariis.


Cirwaaq----coincidentally, Shire is also an English name for land--inspired by the British of course-- Devonshire, Derbyshire, etc etc

[*Nobleman*]

Walahi I think Coeus wrote that supposed wikileaks lol

Never have I read so much Bullshit in one paragraph in my existence lol.

Firstly no one lives across tribal lines, what a load of nonsense. Most somalis do not have a choice of where they live. In my immediate area, i.e. same postcode, I live with fellow issaqs, majeertans, sacad, abgal and barwanis lol.


Also somalis do not have one of the lowest unemployment rates of immigrant communities, in fact it probably has one of the highest lol.