On the possibility of Nigel Roberts being chosen as Somalia Central Bank Governor

[Voltage]

On the possibility of Nigel Roberts being named the Governor of the Central Bank, we have to look at 3 things.

1. Why a foreigner?
2. Can a foreigner be named?
3. Why this foreigner?

1. The Somali Central Bank has proven very resilient---towards never-ending corruption. According to someone I know who is in the Somali government finance, Central Bank Governors;

-Have faced outright threats to turn the other cheek (i.e. Yusur Abraar under Hassan Sheekh)
-Had their family threatened
-Been threatened with outlandish things like "Sixir"
--Were generally corrupt
-etc etc etc

Many were simply political hires and a lot had financial backgrounds that were not specialized for governing a Central Bank particularly in a war torn society.

Besides that, a foreigner in this time can increase investor confidence and be an impartial middle man. It would also increase fiduciary responsibility for international organizations like the IMF and World Bank who will be the ones to decide to forgive Somalia's loans.

Even though Nicholas Haysom as the UN Special Representative was expelled, read his last statement to the UN Security Council. He talked glowingly about the fiscal responsibility of the Somali government, it's anti-corruption fight, and the fact that for the first time the Somali government had a surplus last year.

Improvements in public financial management and an expansion of the domestic revenue base with a recorded fiscal balance surplus of $8 million in September means that 56 percent of the Federal Government’s $340 million budget for 2019 will be financed from domestic revenue, with the rest provided by donors. I want to commend the Office of the Prime Minister for leading Government efforts to tackle corruption, including the announcement on 9 December of the Federal Government’s intention to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/st ... -haysom-un

A trusted Central Bank with these key indicators will be instrumental in getting investment for Somalia going forward including the possibility of debt forgiveness.

2. With regards to whether a foreigner can be named. Talent and need cannot be limited to ethnicity or nationality.

Perhaps I am an American, but look at Von Steuben. With all of America's decorated war heroes during the American Revolution, the Prussian Von Steuben was chosen to make the US army professional because of his skill. Look at Einstein entrusted with the most secretive US program in history---the Nuclear bomb. He was chosen because he was the best.

Similarly look at the Canadian Mark Carney who was picked by David Cameron to head the Bank of England; the first non-British person in history. He was picked because he was seen as the best following the 2008 crash.

Also look at a lot of post-conflict nations who got a foreigner to increase fiscal responsibility and investor confidence like Congo turned to Erwin Blumenthal, Zambia to Jacques Busseries, Bosnia to Serge Roberts, etc.

3. As for why this foreigner, Nigel Roberts studied agricultural economics (something Somalia needs), but also developmental economics at Oxford. He has also worked at the World Bank for almost 40 years and was World Bank Country Director in many hot countries.

The guy has been World Bank Country Director to countries ranging from Ethiopia to Australia.

He has more experience and knowledge in managing a Central Bank than anyone in Somalia.

https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/nigel-roberts

[dalalos101]

anti-berbera pro Nigel, makes zero sense.

[X.Playa]

On the possibility of Nigel Roberts being named the Governor of the Central Bank, we have to look at 3 things.

1. Why a foreigner?
2. Can a foreigner be named?
3. Why this foreigner?

1. The Somali Central Bank has proven very resilient---towards never-ending corruption. According to someone I know who is in the Somali government finance, Central Bank Governors;

-Have faced outright threats to turn the other cheek (i.e. Yusur Abraar under Hassan Sheekh)
-Had their family threatened
-Been threatened with outlandish things like "Sixir"
--Were generally corrupt
-etc etc etc

Many were simply political hires and a lot had financial backgrounds that were not specialized for governing a Central Bank particularly in a war torn society.

Besides that, a foreigner in this time can increase investor confidence and be an impartial middle man. It would also increase fiduciary responsibility for international organizations like the IMF and World Bank who will be the ones to decide to forgive Somalia's loans.

Even though Nicholas Haysom as the UN Special Representative was expelled, read his last statement to the UN Security Council. He talked glowingly about the fiscal responsibility of the Somali government, it's anti-corruption fight, and the fact that for the first time the Somali government had a surplus last year.

Improvements in public financial management and an expansion of the domestic revenue base with a recorded fiscal balance surplus of $8 million in September means that 56 percent of the Federal Government’s $340 million budget for 2019 will be financed from domestic revenue, with the rest provided by donors. I want to commend the Office of the Prime Minister for leading Government efforts to tackle corruption, including the announcement on 9 December of the Federal Government’s intention to ratify the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

https://reliefweb.int/report/somalia/st ... -haysom-un

A trusted Central Bank with these key indicators will be instrumental in getting investment for Somalia going forward including the possibility of debt forgiveness.

2. With regards to whether a foreigner can be named. Talent and need cannot be limited to ethnicity or nationality.

Perhaps I am an American, but look at Von Steuben. With all of America's decorated war heroes during the American Revolution, the Prussian Von Steuben was chosen to make the US army professional because of his skill. Look at Einstein entrusted with the most secretive US program in history---the Nuclear bomb. He was chosen because he was the best.

Similarly look at the Canadian Mark Carney who was picked by David Cameron to head the Bank of England; the first non-British person in history. He was picked because he was seen as the best following the 2008 crash.

Also look at a lot of post-conflict nations who got a foreigner to increase fiscal responsibility and investor confidence like Congo turned to Erwin Blumenthal, Zambia to Jacques Busseries, Bosnia to Serge Roberts, etc.

3. As for why this foreigner, Nigel Roberts studied agricultural economics (something Somalia needs), but also developmental economics at Oxford. He has also worked at the World Bank for almost 40 years and was World Bank Country Director in many hot countries.

The guy has been World Bank Country Director to countries ranging from Ethiopia to Australia.

He has more experience and knowledge in managing a Central Bank than anyone in Somalia.

https://blogs.worldbank.org/team/nigel-roberts

He repersent the WB/IMF and since they bankroll Somalia then they appointed him to implement their neo-liberal and austerity programs. Most client states like Somalia that are run and managed by international banksters are appointed an ex employee of the WB , IMF or head of big financial banks.

[Voltage]

Xplaya-

I hate the IMF with a passion especially for their 70's and 80's conduct with structural adjustment policies in Africa and the developing world. You could very well be right, but the question is why now? Are they confident that Somalia has finally turned a corner and they can get more involved or are we blowing this out of proportion.

Also, you have to understand that leading the IMF are people like Christine Legarde who campaigned against austerity programs as French Finance Minister when she called for heavy social investing as a way out of deep economic difficulties. Also I have seen speeches of her where ahe called for new ways of dealing with Africa and speaking against austerity and structural adjustments seeing how common international migration has become.

The IMF is no longer under neo-colonial European capitalist sharks. It has learned its lesson. You employ economic warfare against Africa and Africans will show up at your doorsteps.

Also the World Bank has changed as well, both with the times like IMF, as well as leadership under Dr Kim. Appointed by Obama for that reason, the guy was a social-justice warrior before these modern day millenials and helped start the free clinic system Partners In Health from Uganda to Haiti. Way before he was named I read the book Mountains Beyons Mountains in high school which describes his political philosophy. The guy has completely revamped World Bank modus operandi.

In short, you could very well be right that these international banks may have had a role in this, but I think for them it is not so much about austerity and structural adjustment (even if that was intent Somalia provides 0 domestic spending, what's there to be austere about?), but rather a guarantee to have someone they trust if they really want to help work on the Somali economy. You can't be labeled the most corrupt country on earth year after year and expect your creditors to trust you at face value.

All in all, I think the expertise of Nigel Roberts would bw welcome.

[X.Playa]

Xplaya-

I hate the IMF with a passion especially for their 70's and 80's conduct with structural adjustment policies in Africa and the developing world. You could very well be right, but the question is why now? Are they confident that Somalia has finally turned a corner and they can get more involved or are we blowing this out of proportion.

Also, you have to understand that leading the IMF are people like Christine Legarde who campaigned against austerity programs as French Finance Minister when she called for heavy social investing as a way out of deep economic difficulties. Also I have seen speeches of her where ahe called for new ways of dealing with Africa and speaking against austerity and structural adjustments seeing how common international migration has become.

The IMF is no longer under neo-colonial European capitalist sharks. It has learned its lesson. You employ economic warfare against Africa and Africans will show up at your doorsteps.

Also the World Bank has changed as well, both with the times like IMF, as well as leadership under Dr Kim. Appointed by Obama for that reason, the guy was a social-justice warrior before these modern day millenials and helped start the free clinic system Partners In Health from Uganda to Haiti. Way before he was named I read the book Mountains Beyons Mountains in high school which describes his political philosophy. The guy has completely revamped World Bank modus operandi.

In short, you could very well be right that these international banks may have had a role in this, but I think for them it is not so much about austerity and structural adjustment (even if that was intent Somalia provides 0 domestic spending, what's there to be austere about?), but rather a guarantee to have someone they trust if they really want to help work on the Somali economy. You can't be labeled the most corrupt country on earth year after year and expect your creditors to trust you at face value.

All in all, I think the expertise of Nigel Roberts would bw welcome.

Why now? because Somalia has come back in to the fold of the WB ( WB and IMF are basically the same entity , both come under the US treasury), few weeks ago didn't the WB lend some money to Somalia!, also the WB and IMF are trying to recover their old debt , and with the recent loan they most likely demanded that they would appoint the head of Somalia Central bank.

Your second point , you are absolutely wrong there , nothing has changed at all , the WB/IMF serves the intentional bankers and European elites and their main duties are to open new market for US/European money , or destabilize the opponent of the neo-liberal status quo , like the case in Venezuela , Iran etc.

If you have been following the news lately , you would have noticed the collapse of Argentina under its right-wing government which implemented austerity and now the entire country is collapsing , in fact Mrs Legarde was in Argentina giving loans and demanding the usual austerity measures .