‎“It Is Only Fair That I Raise The Question Was ‎It My Gender, My Clan Or Was It The Political ‎Affiliation Of My Husband” Amina Weris

By Somalilandtimes network

Press Statement - The Media

Many in the news media have approached me several times for the last two weeks wanting to know more about my pending employment with CARE international since Haatufnews disclosed that the Minister of Planning has contacted CARE Nairobi to block the appointment. As part of my character, which is very private in nature and as part of my professional integrity that respects the process in place, I have refused to comment prematurely.

Today, I believe that it is timely to share with the media the status of this experience. The short of it is that I have received on 21st March a notification that the appointment has been withdrawn due to internal issues from the Hargeisa office; what internal issues they didn’t elaborate and to avoid sensationalizing I would leave the second guessing to others. Disappointed, I am but I am disheartened to learn that CARE decided to give the position to a non-Somalilander as a result of what they called internal issues. That; I find it disturbing and a loss one more time. As always, I am guided by steadfastness, believing in myself but more importantly believing in Somaliland and believing that one day justice would prevail.

Now, the long of it; as some of you might know CARE Nairobi has advertised Team Leader position for their Hargeisa office couple of months ago. Four applicants were short-listed; the acting Team Leader from Kenya, two other candidates from Somaliland and myself. Few days after the interview, CARE officials offered me the job. Needless to say I accepted the offer in writing. To my delight, shortly thereafter, I received a letter of appointment instructing me to start on 20th March. Few days later CARE informed me that they have moved the starting date from 20th March to 2nd April for reasons they called internal issues. Such short delay for whatever the reason was didn’t peak my curiosity; I assumed everything was fine and took it face value.

But as it tuned out I was naïve and the rest is history but I would like to commend CARE for being transparent, that is to an extent but am disappointed that it wilted under pressure and deplore the flimsy excuse it provided for withdrawing the appointment. Luckily, this isn’t life and death situation for me and I consider myself blessed and privileged reflecting on the hardships the people of Somaliland endured.

As a professional I have respect for International organizations as well as their staff as a whole but it appears in this case CARE has bungled the case, infringed on my rights as a citizen and further denied me an opportunity of professional advancement. According to CARE’s standard, the competition was fair and transparent and to change the outcome for what CARE called “internal issues” is unfair and it is only fair that I raise the question was it my gender, was it my clan or was it the political affiliation of my husband?

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to those of you who only know me as the wife of Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud, the opposition leader. As a program and project manager, I have supervised one time nine (9) team leaders and have managed a project with a budget of over twenty million dollars; some of my friends remind me that it is as big as the budget of Somaliland but I don’t dwell on it. In another position, I have designed and implemented health projects that are functioning today. These are only few of my professional accomplishments but I mention them only to tout my professional side, which has suffered and shadowed by the political stature of my husband.

I assure you I didn’t ask this publicity but it wouldn’t deter me to fight for my rights.

May ALLAH bless Somaliland

Amina Sheikh Mohamed (Amina-weirs)

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