Somalia: Presidential candidates demand probe after money stolen from CB

MOGADISHU, Somalia-Somali Presidential Election contenders have called for probe into the theft of half a million dollars at Central Bank ahead of October vote, Garowe Online reports.

Mohamud Ahmed Tarsan—former mayor of Mogadishu and candidate in 2016 elections—have casted a doubt on the stealing of such a substantial money, pointing blaming fingers at government officials for complicity.

In an interview with Mogadishu-based station, he said, it is impossible for one person to remove a huge cash from the Central Bank.

“No money can be stolen from that bank. There must be accomplices and this has been blanketed systematically. A person or two can steal nothing,” said Tarsan.

Another Presidential candidate, Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, urged independent probe into the incident while expressing concern at the fake bills deposited in the country’s highest monetary authority.

“It is a national threat to see the Central Bank being siphoned. We demand independent investigations into the amount stolen and why it came at a critical timing just before elections,” he was quoted as saying by Jowhar media.

Somalia’s Central Bank Governor Bashir Isse Ali by Thursday said, a treasurer identified as –Mohiyadin Mohamed Hassan-- stole USD 530, 000 from the bank.

The stolen money is likely to add to the woes gripping Somalia’s cash-strapped national government in Mogadishu.

UN reports implicated Somali political leadership, aides and other high ranking officials in rampant theft of public funds in recent years.

GAROWE ONLINE