In December 2023, Sweden entered into a secret agreement with the Somali government to redirect 100 million SEK (approximately $10 million) in aid funds towards projects linked to the Somali Prime Minister. This arrangement was allegedly made by Joachim Waern, then the Swedish Ambassador to Somalia, and aimed to facilitate the return of Somali nationals deported from Sweden. The controversial agreement raises issues about transparency in foreign aid allocation and the lack of communication between Sweden's Foreign Ministry and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

Concerns have surfaced regarding former Sida Director Jakob Granit's lack of knowledge about this secret deal, which was only revealed through media reports nearly two years after it was made. He testified to the Swedish Parliament's Constitutional Committee, stating that he was not informed about the agreement either in writing or verbally. Granit's remarks have sparked discussions on the protocols and organizational transparency surrounding significant international agreements, particularly those involving humanitarian aid, and have caused considerable unease within Swedish governance.

The implications of this agreement could resonate on multiple levels, affecting Sweden's diplomatic credibility, relationships with both the Somali government and the Swedish public, and the perceived integrity of its international development policies. The incident has raised critical questions about how foreign aid is negotiated and the extent to which decisions are made by high-ranking officials without due oversight or consent from relevant agencies, leading to potential criticisms of governance practices in these contexts.