• JOBS
  • WARAR
  • Bilan Media
  • English News
  • Radio
Saturday, June 21, 2025
  • Login
Radio Dalsan
    • JOBS
  • WARAR
  • Bilan Media
  • English News
  • Radio
Play
    • JOBS
  • WARAR
  • Bilan Media
  • English News
  • Radio
No Result
View All Result
Radio Dalsan
No Result
View All Result
Home Bilan Media

Special Bilan Media series on the United Nations’ efforts to improve local governance across Somalia 

Bilan Media by Bilan Media
December 29, 2022
in Bilan Media
Reading Time: 9 mins read
A A
Special Bilan Media series on the United Nations’ efforts to improve local governance across Somalia 

Market Trader Rahma Yusuf

1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Effective local governance is an essential part of rebuilding Somalia’s physical infrastructure and social mechanisms, much of which have been destroyed during decades of conflict and instability. The Joint United Nations Programme on Local Governance (JPLG) has played a key role in improving the way government is run at city and state levels. It helps to build roads, clinics, schools and other facilities, train government staff and improve the political representation of marginalised groups, including women. Journalists from Bilan Media have travelled across Somalia to assess the progress of some of JPLG’s work. Naciima Saed Salah went to the city of Hargeisa in Somaliland to report on a JPLG initiative to improve tax collection from businesses operating in the city.

The collection of taxes has been problematic for decades in Somalia, partly because of the disruption to livelihoods and forced movement of people due to conflict, instability, drought, floods and other challenges. There is also a lack of institutional knowledge, with many central, regional and local administrations battered by the long years of violence and hardship.

The relative stability of Somaliland has provided a better environment for the collection of taxes, which are crucial for building and improving societies by helping fund government, education, health and other vital services.

Somaliland’s local government officials have often lacked knowledge on modes of taxation, relying mainly on traditional collection methods from established businesses, many of which were not registered. The tax collection system was sporadic and not always systematised

The director of the JPLG’s local government decentralisation project in Somaliland, Mahmoud Umar, said paying tax is the duty of every citizen, especially the business community.

“Tax revenue helps pay for the basic services to which everyone has a right,” he said. “The taxes we raise from businesspeople also contribute towards the provision of a better working environment for traders as they help cover the cost of cleaning markets and providing security.”

Intervention from the JPLG has assisted local government officials to improve tax collection methods, register many more businesses and find other sources of revenue, hence increasing local government income.

According to Mr Umar, training provided by the JPLG has helped increase tax revenues for the local government and strengthened its administration and management structures.

However, some small business owners and market traders in Hargeisa say they are facing growing economic hardship due to skyrocketing inflation, drought and increased tax demands from local government.

Rooda Ruun Hirsi sells food and small items in a small shop in a market in the city. She says that in the past few months she has been facing growing pressure from the local authorities.

“I set up this shop as a way of preventing my son from leaving Somaliland. After his wife divorced him, he decided to change his life completely and make his way across the dangerous desert and sea to Europe or the Gulf. I stopped him going abroad by opening this shop. We run it together and he no longer dreams of migrating.”

“My whole family depends on my shop. It is our only source of income,” says Ms Hirsi. “We are really struggling because increased tax collection, daily and annually, has reduced my take-home funds which I use to feed and educate my children, pay for their healthcare and other life-saving needs.”

“Running a shop is the only thing I know how to do. I cannot do any other job and I no longer get anything meaningful from my business.”

Ms Hirsi says she was not consulted or informed about the new tax collection methods. She says she was asked unexpectedly to pay her main annual tax during a different month than previously. “If I had been informed beforehand, I would have looked for the money. Now I have no way of finding it and will not be able to pay all of it on time.”

Fardus Ahmed sells vegetables from a small spot in the sun in a market built with assistance from the JPLG. She says she is unable to pay her daily taxes and that she is sometimes treated badly by the collectors who come from Hargeisa’s local government’s tax department.

“They come to me in the morning before I have sold any vegetables and say ‘pay the tax’. They try to take the money before I have sold a single item. If I say, ‘I don’t have money’, they refuse to believe me. Some of them insult me; others order me to ‘pay the tax’.”

“It is so difficult for me, partly because I never know how much I am going to be able to sell my vegetables for,” says Ms Ahmed. “Sometimes people pay well, other times they give me almost nothing.”

As Ms Ahmed sits under the sun with her produce, she needs umbrellas to shade herself and her wares. “Sometimes I cannot even afford to rent an umbrella,” she says.

Ms Ahmed says she has other costs in addition to the taxes.

“I also have to contribute towards the cost of cleaning the marketplace and for the security guard. On some days I am expected to pay my taxes, for the cleaning and the security guard. It is too much.”

Many of the women who trade in market places built as part of the JPLG project said they thought these new spaces would allow them do their business for free. Some are confused and angry about the tax demands which they say they cannot afford.

The JPLG director, Mr Umar, said it is important that everyone pays their taxes in order to contribute towards the development of Somaliland, the provision of essential services and to ensure markets and other working environments are safe and clean.

Photo: Shop owner Rooda ruun Hirsi

He said it would be unfair if some traders were exempted from paying taxes, and that those who were struggling should go to the local government complaints office. He said tax revenue was especially important following the destruction by fire in April this year of Somaliland’s biggest market, Waheen, as it needed to be rebuilt.

“The government of Somaliland is currently facing the burdens of inflation, drought, the destruction of Waheen and an unprecedented influx of refugees from southern and central Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen and Syria,” said Mr Umar.

“We learned during our JPLG training that taxing small traders must be compatible with their finances and that it is an essential contribution towards society as a whole.”

The mother of seven children, Rahma Yusuf, has a more positive attitude towards paying taxes as she sees they can be for the good of society as a whole, especially in a place like Somaliland which faces so many challenges. She says she has paid regular business taxes for the past 11 years.

“I can afford to pay them and I take what I owe to the tax office in June 26 district,” she says.

“I am charged annual and monthly taxes, as well as a daily fee of 1,000 Somali shillings which the local police or tax collectors take from us every morning. I have a good relationship with them and don’t have problems paying my taxes because the money I make from selling my vegetables covers the cost.”

In general, the women who spoke to Bilan Media said they were struggling to pay the taxes, with some saying they could not afford to pay for them at all. They said the situation could be improved if the tax collectors treated them with more dignity and forewarned them when their taxes were due.

 

Previous Post

Dhageyso:- Warka Habeen Ee Radio Dalsan 29/12/2022

Next Post

Dhageyso:- Barnamijka Wareegga Wararka 24-Ka Saac Ee Radio Dalsan 29/12/2022

Bilan Media

Bilan Media

Bilan is Somalia’s first ever all-women media team. Staffed and run entirely by women with full editorial independence, the unit covers hard news and in-depth features, holding leaders to account and making sure the media represents all citizens, men and women, weak and powerful, rich and poor.

Related Posts

ROOBABKII XOOGANAA EE MUQDISHO DA’AY IYO SAMEYNTA UU KU YEESHAYWADDOOYINKA
Bilan Media

ROOBABKII XOOGANAA EE MUQDISHO DA’AY IYO SAMEYNTA UU KU YEESHAYWADDOOYINKA

May 20, 2025
BUUG AF-SOOMAALI AH OO LOO QORAY DADKA MAQALKA NAAFADA KA AH.
Bilan Media

BUUG AF-SOOMAALI AH OO LOO QORAY DADKA MAQALKA NAAFADA KA AH.

May 10, 2025
XUSKA MAALINTA CAALAMIGA AH EE GABDHAHA KU JIRA ICT-da.
Bilan Media

XUSKA MAALINTA CAALAMIGA AH EE GABDHAHA KU JIRA ICT-da.

April 27, 2025
Untold Stories, Unheard Voices: Bilan’s Third Year
Bilan Media

Untold Stories, Unheard Voices: Bilan’s Third Year

April 11, 2025
Sannad-guuradii Saddexaad ee Bilan Media
Bilan Media

Sannad-guuradii Saddexaad ee Bilan Media

April 11, 2025
Harassment Against Women Swimmers at Lido Beach: “We Swim in Fear”
Bilan Media

Harassment Against Women Swimmers at Lido Beach: “We Swim in Fear”

April 8, 2025
Next Post
Dhageyso:- Barnamijka Wareegga Wararka 24-Ka Saac Ee Radio Dalsan 26/1/2022

Dhageyso:- Barnamijka Wareegga Wararka 24-Ka Saac Ee Radio Dalsan 29/12/2022

Independence Week Pushes Back Somalia’s Crucial National Forum as Questions Linger Over State Participation

Independence Week Pushes Back Somalia’s Crucial National Forum as Questions Linger Over State Participation

by Gesey Liban
June 21, 2025
0

In a move that reflects both national pride and ongoing political sensitivities, the Somali Federal Government has announced the postponement...

Iran Rules Out Nuclear Talks Amid Ongoing Israeli Strikes

Iran Rules Out Nuclear Talks Amid Ongoing Israeli Strikes

by Gesey Liban
June 21, 2025
0

Iran has ruled out resuming nuclear negotiations while it remains under attack, warning of escalating tensions just hours after Israel’s...

Guddoonka Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya oo Shaaciyay Xiritaanka Kalfadhiga 6aad

Guddoonka Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya oo Shaaciyay Xiritaanka Kalfadhiga 6aad

by Ilhaan
June 21, 2025
0

Guddoonka Labada Aqal ee Baarlamaanka Jamhuuriyadda Federaalka Soomaaliya ayaa si rasmi ah u shaaciyay in maalinta berri oo ku beegan...

Shirka Golaha Wadatashiga Qaran oo Dib Loo Dhigay, Xuska Xorriyadda Awgeed

Shirka Golaha Wadatashiga Qaran oo Dib Loo Dhigay, Xuska Xorriyadda Awgeed

by Ilhaan
June 21, 2025
0

Shirka Golaha Wadatashiga Qaran ee uu Madaxweynaha Soomaaliya, Mudane Xasan Sheekh Maxamuud, horey ugu muddeeyay in uu qabsoomo 22-ka Juun...

Independence Week Pushes Back Somalia’s Crucial National Forum as Questions Linger Over State Participation
English News

Independence Week Pushes Back Somalia’s Crucial National Forum as Questions Linger Over State Participation

June 21, 2025
Play
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter
Iran Rules Out Nuclear Talks Amid Ongoing Israeli Strikes
English News

Iran Rules Out Nuclear Talks Amid Ongoing Israeli Strikes

June 21, 2025
Play
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter
Guddoonka Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya oo Shaaciyay Xiritaanka Kalfadhiga 6aad
Warar

Guddoonka Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya oo Shaaciyay Xiritaanka Kalfadhiga 6aad

June 21, 2025
Play
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter
Shirka Golaha Wadatashiga Qaran oo Dib Loo Dhigay, Xuska Xorriyadda Awgeed
Warar

Shirka Golaha Wadatashiga Qaran oo Dib Loo Dhigay, Xuska Xorriyadda Awgeed

June 21, 2025
Play
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter
Shir Xasaasi ah oo u Furmi Doona Madaxweyne Xasan Sheekh iyo Mucaaradka
Warar

Shir Xasaasi ah oo u Furmi Doona Madaxweyne Xasan Sheekh iyo Mucaaradka

June 21, 2025
Play
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter
Iiraan: Ma Jirto Wadahadal Nukliyeer ah Inta Weeraradu Sii Socdaan
Caalamka

Iiraan: Ma Jirto Wadahadal Nukliyeer ah Inta Weeraradu Sii Socdaan

June 21, 2025
Play
  • Add to Queue
  • Share
    Facebook Twitter
Facebook Twitter

About

Radio Dalsan

Radio Dalsan

Radio Station

Radio Dalsan was established in April 2012 in Mogadishu, Somalia with FM frequency 91.5MHz . The radio is registered with the federal ministry of information in Somalia. Dalsan is an independent and autonomous FM Radio station. The radio broadcasts for 18 hours in Somalia and also the Radio is on satellite broadcasting to Africa and Asia.

Follow us

Categories

  • Africa
  • Barnaamijyada
  • Bilan Media
  • Caafimaadka
  • Caalamka
  • Diini
  • English News
  • Maqal
  • Muuqaal
  • Opinion
  • Podcast
  • Warar
  • WARARKA AF INGIRIISIGA
  • Wararka Idaacadda
  • Wareegga Wararka
  • Wareysiyada
  • World News
  • Xulashada Ciyaaraha
  • Xulasho
  • XULKA WARARKA

Recent Posts

  • Independence Week Pushes Back Somalia’s Crucial National Forum as Questions Linger Over State Participation
  • Iran Rules Out Nuclear Talks Amid Ongoing Israeli Strikes
  • Guddoonka Baarlamaanka Federaalka Soomaaliya oo Shaaciyay Xiritaanka Kalfadhiga 6aad
  • Shirka Golaha Wadatashiga Qaran oo Dib Loo Dhigay, Xuska Xorriyadda Awgeed

© 2024 Radio Dalsan - Allrights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
    • JOBS
  • WARAR
  • Bilan Media
  • English News
  • Radio

© 2024 Radio Dalsan - Allrights reserved.

-
00:00
00:00

Queue

Update Required Flash plugin
-
00:00
00:00