I want to give an update on the the Somali remittance crisis, which began on February 5 when the Merchant Bank of California cut its ties to the impoverished country, and is now certainly worsened by the recent terrorist attack in Kenya by the Somalia-based terrorist group al-Shabab. In retaliation for the horrific attack on Garissa University by al-Shabab, which left 146 people dead, Kenya has now cut off remittances to Somalia as well. It seems understandable that Kenya would want to cut off funds if there is a risk that they would go to the terrorist group, but in cutting off the only legal and transparent means of sending funds, this forces more money to go, precisely, through underground groups like al-Shabab in order to reach the families that need it. As Representative Adam Smith reiterated last week in a statement about these recent closures:
This also highlights the urgency of the situation in the US and the need to find an immediate and comprehensive solution to the regulatory issues that are hindering remittances from America.
Just two weeks ago, March 31, when I walked into a crowded hall at New Holly for a town hall meeting organized by Seattle's Somali community, OneAmerica, and Oxfam, lots of people of all races and faiths were gathered to discuss the remittance crisis. Facilitated by young Somali American women and men, the meeting featured testimonies from local members of the Somali community on the impact of the inability to send money. They detailed their fears for the health and safety of their loved ones and their frustrations at the lack of action from the federal government in finding a solution. One community member tearfully described how a simple $100 a month was putting her beloved niece through school, and she didn’t know how she was going to tell her that she could no longer go.
For those unfamiliar to what has led up to this terrible state of things, panelists from the Somali community and Oxfam explained Somalia’s history of conflict and famine, which has left the country with a barely functioning government and, as a consequence, no functioning banking system. Humanitarian agencies have estimated that up to 50 percent of Somalis depend on money sent from overseas relatives to pay for food, shelter, and education. The US government has been placing increasing restrictions on banks that handle money transfers to Somalia, and two months ago, the final bank processing these transfers announced it would no longer do so. These restrictions are part of post-9/11 counterterrorism efforts, out of fear that these funds could be used to fund al-Shabab.
Representative Smith, whose constituency includes a large portion of Seattle’s Somali community, has been steadfast in his efforts to find a solution to this issue. A testament to his commitment is the fact that he hobbled into the meeting on crutches, insisting on attending even though he had just had hip surgery. He outlined his efforts to keep visibility on this crisis and pressure the federal government to take action. He underlined the importance of a quick and lasting solution, stating that it is “a humanitarian issue” of “life or death” for millions of Somalis.
Other local representatives were in attendance—Council Members Kshama Sawant, Mike O’Brien, and Bruce Harrell. Pramila Jayapal sent a representative (she was in session and unable to attend), as did Senator Patty Murray and Mayor Ed Murray. Pramila’s rep read a statement she had written, reassuring the Somali community that the “remittance issue is one that I take very seriously,” and pointing out that there “has been no evidence that would warrant the risk” of discontinuing these transfers.
The mayor arrived at the end of the meeting to express his support for the Somali community and their right to send money to their families. He stated that it is an American tradition for immigrants to send money back to their families. His grandparents had done the same when they came over from Ireland. He also stressed that the federal government could solve this issue by simply using the Federal Reserve Bank to handle the wire transfers, but for the last two months, they had taken no action while millions of lives hang in the balance.
Sawant spoke passionately and honestly about the issue, explaining this isn’t just a Somali problem, it’s an American problem. She reminded the audience that western imperialism and US actions in East Africa were direct contributors to the current situation with al-Shabab. She blasted Congress for its inaction asking: “When is the last time that Congress as a whole has done something to support the needs of the people on the ground?” As far as practical solutions, she asked that the city pass a resolution demanding Congress take action on the remittance issue. She also suggested some local solutions to this issue, a municipally owned bank in Seattle could be established to handle these transfers.
One of the most popular speakers of the night was a local Somali who reminded everyone that this wasn’t just an issue for the federal government to resolve. He demanded that fellow members of the Seattle community stop playing defense. “We need to come together as a community. We need to stop being reactive and start being proactive,” he pleaded. “What can we do to help ourselves? Can we have our own community bank? Let’s think inside a little bit more.”
There are local solutions to this crisis that can be implemented to save the lives of countless families in Somalia. Our Somali community is part of our Seattle community. Their families are our families. We need to gather our resources and come up with a lasting solution so that all Seattleites can care for their loved ones.
UPDATE: Governor Jay Inslee is also working on this important issue. He had representatives at the New Holly meeting and also sent a letter to the Obama administration. The letter (PDF) stressed that the bank services to Somalia were robust, transparent, and dependable, and he requested an approach to the issue that balanced security concerns with the needs of very poor people in the country. The Obama administration has yet to respond to this letter.
