[John]

I’ve made no secret of my concern that we’re facing a serious global food supply problem that will impact us in Britain. I’m not saying it will happen but it looks more and more likely. I hope I’m worrying over nothing. I don’t expect the house to burn down, but we’ve got fire insurance.
Full Article here

[Growster...]

John, you may have seen here, a few thoughts regarding Somalia, gleaned from non-partisan sources freely available online and frightenly true...

Corruption Report
Last updated: July 2020
Snapshot

Somalia ranks among the world’s most corrupt countries. Insecurity is also a major issue; the ongoing instability greatly restricts business. Corrupt government officials tolerate illegal activities in return for bribes. Dysfunctional institutions facilitate an environment of lawlessness, and the absence of any form of regulatory framework hinders prospects of economic competitiveness. Business is based on patronage networks, and tight monopolies dominate the market. Somalia’s Provisional Constitution criminalizes several forms of corruption (including abuse of office, embezzlement and bribery); however, implementation is non-existent. The governing elite is continuously involved in allegations of embezzlement of public funds from the already meager Somalian coffers. Finally, bribery is commonplace in all sectors, and procurement contracts frequently involve corruption.

Police

Corruption is rife within the security apparatus. Impunity is widespread, and authorities do not maintain effective control over the police force (HRR 2015). In addition, the police are ineffective (HRR 2015). To stay protected from crime, companies in Somalia are forced either to cooperate with violent groups or to arm themselves against threats (BTI 2016).

The Somali National Army is the country’s most important security institution. It suffers rampant corruption: Army leaders have systematically inflated troop numbers to obtain greater funding. Furthermore, family and business ties link officials responsible for provisions and the companies contracted to provide the food rations (worth USD 8 million per year) (UN Security Council, Oct. 2015). Cases of corruption and misappropriation within the army led President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to order the replacement of the chief of the armed forces in 2015

Public Services

In 1991, Somalia’s state institutions witnessed a complete collapse, and efforts to rebuild the country’s public administrations since have been modest due to ongoing armed conflict and rampant corruption (BTI 2016). There are no legal or institutional frameworks regulating the market in Somalia, thus market competition is absent and the economy is controlled by patronage networks with close ties to the ruling elite

Land Administration

Somali authorities are incapable of protecting property rights (BTI 2016). The construction boom the country is currently witnessing has further fueled conflict as title deeds are either unavailable or forged (BTI 2016). Forced evictions by both private and public actors, coupled with the absence of land deeds and corruption, will most likely further exacerbate land conflict in the future (BTI 2016). The country has no functioning land registry

Tax Administration

The tax administration is absent in Somalia, and most businesses operate in the informal sector and thus go untaxed (BTI 2016). The government lacks the capacity both to collect taxes and to control the country’s territory, parts of which are under the rule of rebel groups (BTI 2016). This has allowed rebel leaders and warlords to establish their unique tax collection system from traders and businessmen operating in areas under their control

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Customs Administration

Businesses are likely to face extensive corruption in the customs sector. Bribery is common when clearing goods through the Mogadishu port (Hiiran Online, Jan. 2015). Generally, the diversion of revenue from ports is very common; for instance, revenue from the Mogadishu port totaled more than USD 5.5 million per month during 2013 (to put this in perspective, the Somali central bank in 2014 received an average of USD 4.6 million per month) (HRR 2014).

Trade in counterfeit goods is widespread at Somalia’s borders and has also served as a source of financing for armed rebels such as Al-Shabab

Public Procurement

Public procurement in Somalia holds high corruption risks for business. The majority of public tenders are treated as confidential (BTI 2016). “Secret contracting,” where officials close public procurement deals in complete absence of transparency and oversight, is a common practice (HRR 2015). Reportedly, some regional entities have closed contracts with oil companies independently from the government (BTI 2016).

Public funds are found to be frequently diverted and misappropriated due to corruption (HRR 2015). In one major case, it was found that approximately 80% of payment transfers made by the central bank of Somalia was to private persons for non-business purposes (BTI 2016; HRR 2015). Government officials with close ties to the president also actively used the central bank to control overseas recovered assets including cash and gold held in banks during the Somalian civil war as well as government property abroad (HRR 2015, HRR 2014). The bank’s governor resigned after details of the case were revealed in 2013. His predecessor, appointed by the President, also resigned weeks later due to heavy political interference and corruption (BTI 2016). The case has triggered the government to set up a Financial Governance Committee to restore the trust of international donors. The committee is responsible for controlling corruption and securing transparency in the handling of public assets; however, only a small proportion of government contracts are shared with the committee

Natural Resources

The natural resources industries are jeopardized by corruption and insecurity. The sector is almost completely unregulated; the petroleum industry is particularly problematic (UN Security Council, Oct. 2015). Several members of the political elite have signed extractive industry contracts with international companies in secret (BTI 2016). Furthermore, growing hostility over resource-sharing between the federal government and regional administrations has driven the latter to sign oil and gas contracts independently of the federal government (UN Security Council, Oct. 2015).

Licensing in the natural resources sector is also challenged by the absence of a regulatory system and widespread corruption. International energy companies have obtained oil exploration licenses from different local and national authorities (BTI 2016). Evidence also suggests that the Somalian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources has been transferring money acquired from selling fishing licenses into a private ministerial bank account in Djibouti (UN Security Council, Oct. 2015).

In one ongoing corruption case, the British company Soma Oil & Gas Holdings Ltd. is being investigated by the UK Serious Fraud Office for corruption in Somalia. The company allegedly made salary payments to Somali oil officials totaling USD 500,000. The company claims that the UN monitoring group has misunderstood the intention of the payments, which were meant for funding a capacity-building program in Somalia

Legislation

The country’s legal framework relies on the Provisional Constitution, which criminalizes abuse of office, bribery of national and foreign officials, embezzlement and trading in influence. However, the government does not implement anti-corruption laws effectively, and officials engage in corruption with impunity (HRR 2015). Governance in Somalia is, to a large extent, based on informal mechanisms and institutions, which are in turn, based on patronage and clientelistic networks serving personal interests and affiliations (BTI 2016). International funding has further consolidated the current structure of government, and senior officials are often involved in accusations of corruption and embezzlement of foreign funds (BTI 2016). Neither appointed nor elected officials are subject to financial disclosure laws (HRR 2015).

State-building is hampered by large-scale corruption and misappropriation of public funds (BTI 2016). There is no developed revenue system in Somalia. International funding and payments made at sea and airports are the main sources of revenue for the country, but there is no transparency in the collection or distribution of these funds (BTI 2016). The country’s institutions are dysfunctional, and there are no integrity mechanisms in place to curb corruption. Somalia has signed but not yet ratified or acceded to the African Union Convention on Combatting and Preventing Corruption. Somalia is not signatory to the UN Convention against Corruption.

Civil Society

Freedoms of speech and press are protected under the Constitution, but these rights are completely violated in practice; Somalia ranks among the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists (HRR 2014; FotP 2015). Several journalists were killed both in 2013 and 2014 (BTI 2016).

Traditions of social engagement are strong in Somalia, and these have further prospered since the onset of the Somalian civil war as the state’s collapse made social network structures vital for survival (BTI 2016). Furthermore, foreign funding has also encouraged the creation of numerous NGOs (BTI 2016). Nonetheless, NGOs are not effectively consulted by the government. Further, armed opposition groups such as Al-Shabab undermine freedoms of association, and civil society activists are often the victims of attacks

https://www.ganintegrity.com/portal/country-profiles/somalia/

As a very minor Growstercog in a British way of the world, all this is really incomprehensible to me.

I know we cut aid to Somalia by 75%, and a lot of whinges reverberated around the elite class in the UK, but I ask you, what could we do with the money saved for British citizens in need? I can think of several good causes!

[mumofstig]

I've been a tad worried by this since the early Summer, and have enlarged my pantry supplies. Not quite an American prepper's pantry, yet, but it is filling up slowly but surely. I noticed that my favourite beans now have more liquid in the tin than before, and that's despite going up from 4 for £2 to £2,50, then £2.80. (Still a bit cheaper in Iceland though  )
Every time I've ordered a home delivery from Iceland or Tesco I've ordered more than I really needed (while it was still a good price) so some more got 'put away' especially bread flour/yeast from early on. So I may get a bit colder than usual, but there'll be plenty to eat...

I've also been finding out when our local power cuts will be (if we get to that stage) and have lamp oil, and wood and coal for the stove, just in case.

I'm not a Scout but their motto "Be prepared" just seems a good idea right now...

[John]

Growster - yes Somalia is a failed state by most measures. The war with al-shabab and the government has gone on for 15 years eating resources that could have helped the people. Corruption is endemic - it's not surprising when you look at the life there. It's easy for us to take the moral high ground with a full belly.

[jaydig]

Ever since lockdown and 'panic buying', I've been doing the same as you, MoS.  I don't panic buy, but every week I've bought a couple of extra tins, packets, or bottles of stuff that will keep for a long while. My hubby has converted a back lobby into a shelved pantry, and it is currently bursting with dried and canned goods, which I only replace as I use them and only then when the particular item is on offer. I have a mountain of jams, bottled home made pasta sauces, home bottled fruit etc too. The freezers are full to the brim with lotty veg and home made 'ready meals' for the CBA days that we all have now and then. If we have power cuts the freezers should be ok for 24 hours, if not perhaps I'll cook a bonanza spread and invite all the neighbours - at least all the extra bodies will warm up the house!

[mumofstig]

If it's any reassurance, the cuts will probably only be for 3-4 hours on pre-specified days of the week, so you can plan in advance.
https://www.spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/rota_load_faq.aspx

[JJDigger]

Hi John

Just heard most of a Radio 4 programme called "Autarchy" - a fancy word for self-sufficiency.  It started at 11am today and though I didn't hear the end of it, think it was in a half hour slot.  It was about national self-sufficiency in food production in the UK, though in the first 10 or 15 minutes, ranged over general trade issues and various products, not just food, including the trends in many countries now aiming at autarchy, eg the UK, China, India and the US.  It also considered the question of whether self-sufficiency was a desirable aim, as well as whether it was possible.  There were some interesting comments about the "Dig for Victory" campaign in WWII.

Hopefully it will be available on Listen Again or via the BBC Sounds app.  Will certainly be listening to the rest of it. 

Kind regards and thank you again for this amazing site.

JJ Digger

[John]

I picked up a bit of the programme but we had to go out so missed most. It's available on sounds here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fcpy

It's a fascinating topic but very complex and depends on your definition of self-sufficiency. For example: we could easily be self-sufficient for poultry and eggs. But if the chicken feed is imported or contains a high proportion of imported ingredients like soya, then how self-sufficient is that?

Just about to start reading a biography of Lord Woolton which goes into detail about his efforts to keep food on the table in WW2. It's obvious that the Ministry of Food became far more dynamic and proactive when he took it on. Looking forward to expanding my knowledge.

I really enjoyed researching and collecting source materials for Dig for Victory - not least because it led me down so many roads. From the repeal of the corn laws in 1846, through WW1 and the depression following the Wall Street crash through to the butter mountains and wine lakes of the EEC in the 1970s.

Having clearly seen some of the mistakes of government policy in the past with regards to agricultural policy, I get worried when they are making the same mistakes again.

[rowlandwells]

it a about time we started to look after our own in this country with many people  struggling to pay the mortgages and rent just to  keep a roof over their head, I've seen people shopping in supermarkets having to put food back because they hadn't got enough money to pay for it and so many people who are  unable to heat their homes or turn the cooker on because of the price of fuel it's so sad and then there's those people sleeping in shop doorways that shouldn't happen in this day and age and don't even mention the poor animals sadly neglected or abandoned to fend for themselves it's such a shame to let these things happen in our country 

as for food well it's a good job we managed to freeze plenty of veg and fruit to last us over the winter months and beyond and as we burn only wood on our wood burner, we save quite bit on heating the house I collected quite a bit of wood when I was hedge cutting and was given some wood from my farmer friends when a tree blew down, I soon got the chain saw out when they told me to help myself 
some people might say we are self-sufficient maybe: lol:
 

[John]

I don't want to get political Rowland but things have gone badly wrong. You're right, we shouldn't have anyone sleeping in shop doorways, it's a disgrace.  House prices are too high which hits both buyers and renters - it's a lot tougher for the youngsters in some ways than it was for us. My first flat cost less than 2 year's income as a rep. That property is now worth over £200,000.
Yesterday my son-in-law chainsawed some logs up while I split them - helped by my grandson who pressed the button on the hydraulic splitter

[Growster...]

"My first flat cost less than 2 year's income as a rep. That property is now worth over £200,000."

That's an interesting ratio John, and I've never thought about that issue.

When we moved to 'The Turrets', the mortgage interest was 15%, and quite frankly, we knew we certainly couldn't afford it, but the bank said, 'Oh alright Growster and Mrs Growster, we'll see you OK', and so we moved...

The house was valued at around five times our annual income and we soon suffered, (immediately actually), but hey, we were much younger then, 'the world was our lobster' and ownership is nine-tenths of whatever the stupid 'law' says...

[mumofstig]

When ex-hubby and I bought ours in 1968 they only allowed us to borrow 2.5 times our yearly combined income., but in those days they would only include half of the woman's wages - plus the house belonged to my husband, not both of us, because I was under 21 
We scraped through by the skin of our teeth! Things only changed very slowly, because I had to get solicitors involved after divorce, because the bank kept allowing my ex to withdraw money from my bank a/c. Eventually it was easiest to change back to my maiden name, rather than remain Mrs ....

[John]

My Dad felt that allowing women the vote was OK but allowing them to have bank accounts was a step too far! I think he'd have preferred unisex toilets to letting them into the hallowed halls where men conducted financial business

[jaydig]

Our first home, where we still live, was a two up two down semi cottage with an outside loo. There was an open fire, numerous holes in the roof, black mould in the bedrooms and a quarry tile floor on soil. The roof on the loo leaked and required wellies and an umbrella when using it.  It cost the princely sum of £1,750 and the mortgage was £11.50 per month.  We struggled to pay even this, and I can remember saying to my husband, "Wouldn't it be lovely if you were earning £20 per week". We had two pairs of curtains, family donations, neither of which fitted the windows, a bed supported on bricks because the frame had collapsed and precious little else.  We did have two tv's.  The sound worked on one and the picture worked on the other, but for some reason they weren't quite co-ordinated.  Happy memories! 
My hubby worked hard improving it over the years and it's now a lovely, comfortable home and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

[rowlandwells]

I suppose we were somewhat lucky to buy our bungalow as a new build my dad lent us the deposit and it cost us under three thousand pounds in those days at today's prices you would be looking at around three hundred thousand pounds , we definitely struggled in the early years it got slightly better when I changed jobs from working on the farm to becoming an HGV driver when I got a job on another haulage company who paid good wages things turned in our favour

and to John I like the idea of that hydraulic splitter I bought a hydraulic splitter some 5 years ago to fit behind the tractor it's still in its box haven't got round to fixing it to the tractor yet got some slight problem with the tractor hydraulics I just keep putting of repairing it it's me being lazy because I've got plenty of wood cut up with the chainsaw but one day I will get round to using that wood splitter  honest I will