According to Somali media, the Campaign against the Saudi Arabia which Somalia, especially members of its official delegates, are pushing at the International Labor Conference (ILC) appears to be jeopardizing not only the employment agreement but also other ongoing support from Riyadh for development and humanitarian programs in Somalia.

On the sidelines of Seventh Global Occupational Safety & Health  Conference in Riyad early May this year,, Somali minister of Labor Yusuf Mohamed Aden met deputy Minister of Human Resources and Social Development of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Dr. Abdullah bin Nasser Abuthnain. Both ministers agreed to expedite the implementation of a recent understanding between Somalia and Saudi Arabia aimed at facilitating overseas employment for Somali workers.

In February this year, Mr. Sultan bin Abdulrahman Al-Marshad, CEO of the Saudi Fund for Development (SFD), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mr. Haoliang Xu, UN Assistant Secretary-General, UNDP Assistant Administrator, according to statement released by Saudi Fund for Development. The MoU addresses the implementation of the grant provided to the Federal Republic of Somalia under the fifth phase of the Saudi Program for Drilling Wells and Rural Development in Africa. The signing ceremony was attended by  Mr. Owais Haji Yusuf Ahmed, Ambassador of Somalia to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"It is noteworthy that since 1977, the Saudi Fund for Development has provided the Federal Republic of Somalia with financing for seven development projects and programs through concessional development loans and grants offered by the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Fund, with a total value exceeding $100 million. These projects have supported key sectors, including water, education, agriculture, industry, and mining, with the aim of enhancing social infrastructure, water resources, and rural development in Somalia” The statement added.

The criticism from Somalia against Saudi Arabia comes amid Somalia’s is holding its presidential and parliamentary elections, while critics say the country’s foreign policy is moving from Saudi led alliance including UAE and Egyt to Qatar in order to secure election funding.

Somalia is the only country from East Africa or the Arab world whose government delegation has openly participated in the campaign targeting Saudi Arabia.