Somalia: Attorney General summons Finance Minister over fraud
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Staff reporter GAROWE ONLINE
- Posted On 26-06-2022, 12:01PM
MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Attorney General has summoned Somalia's Finance Minister Abdirahman Dialed Beileh over financial issues which are being investigated by the office, a move which comes a few days before new Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre appoints the new cabinet.
On Saturday, Parliament officially approved Hamza Barre as the new Prime Minister, replacing Mohamed Hussein Roble, who is credited for holding successful parliamentary and presidential elections in the Horn of Africa nation.
A letter emanating from the office of the Attorney General summons the minister before the financial, economic, and cybercrimes unit. But until now, Garowe Online has been unable to establish whether or not the minister is being investigated directly.
In the letter, Attorney General says the minister should appear before his office on June 27, 2022, before 11 am. Duale has been fundamental in clearing the country's desk and there are hopes that Somalia could reach the completion point in the coming months.
A few days ago, Abdirahman Duale denied reports that the federal government's coffers were full after the departure of former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo. The former president lost elections last month, ending his five years at the helm of power.
Last month. the country's Finance department released its sixth Financial Governance Report [FGR], which revealed that it was forced to find "alternative sources" of funding to continue bankrolling critical government operations.
Donors cut off primary sources of budgetary support following Somalia's failure to hold federal elections by February 2021. The country has also been struggling to pay debts, with the current drought making the economy struggle.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has identified revamping the economy as his major priority, with Prime Minister Hamza Abdi insisting on Saturday that once he forms the cabinet, the government will ensure improvement of infrastructure remains the government's focus.
GAROWE ONLINE
