Having acquired large hectares of land for a plan to build a major base near Mogadishu airport, the European Union had proposed an introductory policy which prohibits the employment of Somalis for their missions, a move which many said bore resemblances to racial stereotypes and prejudices that Somalia’s colonial powers imposed before the country regained its independence in 1960s.
In confidential documents obtained by Dalsoor, a Somali video website, the European Union’s External Action Service instructed the prohibition of Somalis from being employed by EU Somalia with the exception of the construction of the organization’s headquarters in Mogadishu.
“The contractors shall not employ Somali national or personnel of Somali origin for the provision of the service on-site except for the construction phase.” EU said in confidential documents circulated among the organization’s employees.
Analyzing EU’s confidential documents, Jamal Osman, a Somali-British journalist who produced the video report said that the proposal intends to ban anyone with a Somali origin whether they are dual citizens or Somali nationals from working at the EU Somalia.
“Anyone who’s a Somali origin – cannot work there. They cannot work as cleaners, security guards or even general workers.” He said.
In addition, Ahmed Ali Kheyre, a Somali legal expert said that the new EU policy violated the organization’s foundation, and the Lisbon treaty which clearly stated that the principle of EU is to respect international rules.
“If they are saying a Somali cannot be hired for the job – it’s clearly against the international and European rules.” He said.
European Union officials haven’t yet commented on the development which highlights challenges faced by Somali, who despite suffering racial profiling and discrimination in overseas now see the possibility of facing similar fate at home.
The Horn of Africa nation which is recovering from decades of civil unrest still bears the inedible marks of colonial powers that despite dividing once unified nation into clan fiefdoms imposed modern, physical and cultural boundaries that many say created clan rivalry and chaos in Somalia which has been heavily influenced over time by foreigners interests.
