Somalia has been in a state of civil war for decades and that’s left it financially weak and in debt. This week, the US moved to cancel $1.1 billion in Somalia’s outstanding debt, representing just over a quarter of the country’s overall foreign debt. Host Carolyn Beeler speaks with Harry Verhoeven, an expert on the political economy of the Horn of Africa, about what this debt forgiveness will mean for Somalia.
The story you just read is accessible and free to all because thousands of listeners and readers contribute to our nonprofit newsroom. We go deep to bring you the human-centered international reporting that you know you can trust. To do this work and to do it well, we rely on the support of our listeners. If you appreciated our coverage this year, if there was a story that made you pause or a song that moved you, would you consider making a gift to sustain our work through 2024 and beyond?