Somalia: Govt accused of misappropriation of financial resources

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The United Nations Monitoring Group released a new report blaming the Federal Government of Somalia for misappropriation of financial resources, Garowe Online reports.

Despite gaining little praise from International financial institutions for implementing financial reforms, the UN-backed weak Government is facing numerous challenges of fighting corruption within the ministries.

The UN report shed new light on specific allegations of fraud within the ministries of ports and marine transport, transport and civil aviation, and religious affairs, as well as Benadir regional administration.

The country's Ministry of Finance in the spotlight after the Members of Lower House Chamber of the Parliament received a non-salary payment and stipends of $5,000 each from the Government last May.

On Thursday, Nov. 15, Somali parliament approved a budget surplus totaling $22.5 million which was submitted by the Finance Ministry as questions raised over off-budget expenditure and swelling scam.

In December 2017, the United States is suspending food and fuel aid for most of Somalia’s armed forces over corruption concerns, a big blow to the national army as the AU peacekeepers protecting the government set to withdraw in 2020.

The government's economic record fell short after officials from the ministry of humanitarian affairs, Mogadishu port and Minister of Finance were jailed and convicted of misusing public funds this year.

In addition, two deputy Ministers have been recently suspended and are currently under investigation by the office of the Attorney General after they were accused of corruption and money laundering.

Shortly after his appointment last year, Somali PM Hassan Ali Khaire pledged that his government will tackle corruption and vowed to make the fight against misconduct a non-negotiable principle.

According to Transparency International, Somalia ranks among the world’s most corrupt countries, where corrupt government officials tolerate illegal activities in return for bribes.

GAROWE ONLINE