Sweden’s immigration policy has increasingly come under fire, and now, its foreign aid practices are raising significant concerns. The country’s approach to deporting Somalis has resulted in an unsettling alliance with controversial figures in Somalia. One such figure is Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, who has openly praised Hamas and made anti-Semitic remarks, yet continues to receive millions of Swedish taxpayer-funded aid. How can this be justified?
The Swedish government has demanded that Sida, Sweden’s international development agency, avoid funding anti-Semitic actors. However, reports reveal that a substantial portion of Swedish aid intended for Somalia has gone directly to Prime Minister Barre’s office, raising questions about the integrity of these financial transactions.
A Controversial Deal
According to Swedish Radio (Ekot), a deal between Sweden and Somalia redirected 100 million kronor from Sweden’s development aid budget. The goal was to encourage Somalia to accept individuals Sweden sought to deport, including convicted criminals. Of this sum, 60 million kronor was allocated through Sida to the UN Development Program (UNDP), which has managed the funds.
Shockingly, it was revealed that more than half of this amount—around 32 million kronor—ended up in the office of Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. This raises serious doubts about the ultimate destination of the funds and the effectiveness of Sweden’s aid programs.
Anti-Semitic Remarks and Support for Hamas
Prime Minister Barre has stirred controversy with inflammatory remarks against Jews. In late 2023, during a religious gathering in Mogadishu, he referred to Jews as “the offspring of apes and pigs,” according to a translation by Swedish Television (SVT). Furthermore, Barre has openly expressed admiration for Hamas, a group that has been designated a terrorist organization by Sweden and many other countries. In one speech, he called Hamas “an Islamic liberation movement” and praised its fighters as “true Muslims and mujahedin.”
These statements sharply contrast with the ethical guidelines set forth for Swedish aid by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The government’s new regulations, introduced in April 2025, are clear in their instructions to Sida: aid must not be given to individuals or organizations that promote anti-democratic activities, violent extremism, anti-Semitism, or terrorism.
Questions About Accountability
The apparent contradiction between Sweden’s values and its aid policies has raised alarm among political figures. Morgan Johansson, foreign policy spokesperson for the Social Democrats, questioned the logic behind continuing to fund Somalia under these circumstances. “If this prime minister is an anti-Semite, a Hamas supporter, and an Islamist, then you have to ask yourself where this Swedish money has ultimately gone. It may have ended up in Islamist groups or even Hamas,” Johansson said.
When asked if Sida had violated the instructions set by the government, Johansson didn’t hold back: “Yes, I can’t make any other assessment than that it does. Sida must explain this, and the responsible minister, Benjamin Dousa, must clarify how this reasoning has come about.”
Sida’s Response
In response, Sida defended its actions, stating that they had a long-standing and trusted relationship with UNDP. The agency expressed confidence in UNDP’s ability to monitor and follow up on the aid provided. Sida’s written statement emphasized that they believed the aid was being properly managed.
However, critics remain unconvinced. As questions about transparency and accountability mount, the Swedish government’s foreign aid policy appears to be increasingly at odds with its core values of democracy, human rights, and anti-extremism. With the spotlight now firmly on this issue, it remains to be seen how Sweden will reconcile its financial support with its ethical standards.