HARGEISA (SD) – The mayor of Somaliland’s capital, Hargeisa Abdikarin Ahmed Mooge, ordered businessmen to stop giving charity to foreigners in the city.

Mooge said that a city ordinance will be issued to shopkeepers who give the most charity to the immigrants who are mostly Ethiopians, Syrians and Yemenis. The mayor added that the money is needed by the city’s citizens.

“The person that knows his poor neighbors, yet is paying charity every morning to foreigners, should collect that money and give it to his hungry neighbors instead of foreigners” said the mayor.

The mayor added that the charity given to foreigners led to a flow of more immigrants seeking money to Somaliland.

The xenophobic statements from the Mayor of Hargeisa have been criticized by many, including civil society groups.

it is worth noting that during the civil war in Northern Somalia now Somaliland, refugees including the mayor’s family were welcomed by Ethiopians, Syrians and Yemenis.

” I can see it now, the local government chasing business owners instead of providing services, Islam is clear on charity and the individual responsibility associated with it and there should be no interference” said prominent Lawyer Guled Ahmed Jama (Dafac).

Abdikarim Ahmed Mooge, elected by the opposition, faces a lot of criticism from voters after a series of mishaps and a very disappointing leadership on matters relating to his platform.

Somaliland, where there is reliable peace, receives a monthly flow of migrants from Syria, Yemen and Ethiopia.