Universal Postal Union (UPU) has lifted sanctions imposed on Somalia following a meeting between Somali Minister for Post, Telecom and Technology, Abdi Ashur Hassan and officials from the agency. In a well-organized recognition ceremony held at the headquarters of UPU in Bern, Switzerland, the Somali minister and UPU Director General, Bishar Hussein, appended their signatures to an agreement allowing Somalia to regain its membership.
According to a statement by Post, Telecom and Technology ministry, the agreement will allow the resumption of postal services in the country. The development comes barely a day after the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) requested UPU to lift sanctions imposed on the country.
Addressing members of the agency, Mr Hassan said the postal services support the economy of every country in many ways as they provide the right logistics for e-commerce to flourish and create employment opportunities for the millions of youth.
According to the minister, the Somali government has been struggling with the formulation of national policy and legislative framework, preparation of operational plans, product, market development and the reconstruction of post offices across major cities. Somalia has not made a service payment since 1982 during the reign of late President, Mohamed Siyad Barre, who was kicked out of power in 1992.
