Somali Government provides progress update on eradicating corruption

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Mogadishu, 21 May 2017 – The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to combating corruption at every level. So far within a short period of time, the new government has made efforts to show its commitment and determination to eradicating corruption. The progresses made so far include the following:

1. The government has reviewed the anti-corruption law with Somali experts and soon will be presented to the parliament for a review and approval;

2. As a result of strict reforms on public financial management the revenue generated since 8th of February has increased which gives us more income to provide service delivery;

3. The new management at Aden Adde International airport in Mogadishu has on the 16th and the 17th of May 2017 collected more than $ 130,000 of Khat taxation when compared to the past days and weeks, that $34,000 has been saved which was used to be diverted into the wrong pockets, without tax increases, and no extra Khat arriving. As a result of this, the government saved between 600k to 900k per month, which will hugely help the government to provide services to its citizens;

4. 5 men who were operating at illegal roadblock were arrested and paraded   on the 13 of May 2017 as they were armed with AK47 and a vehicle which they have been using for the robbing of travelers along Mogadishu and KM50 by collecting illegal taxation at check-points on streets. These 5 men were paraded at the premises of the Ministry of defense after a military operation was carried out.

5. Operations to eradicate bandits who laid illegal roadblocks on the roads is launched in the Middle Shabelle region on 18 May 2017. All roadblocks were removed between roads that links Mogadishu to Adalle district. Somali President instructed SNA to remove all illegal checkpoints so that citizens are not subject to paying illegal taxation.

6. On 21 May 2017 Somali National Army (SNA) arrested 4-armed men as they were collecting illegal taxation at illegal check-point in Warsheikh district, Middle Shabelle region.

7. Somali Police Force arrested two officials, one from the ministry of Finance and one from the police at Bakara market in Mogadishu, as they were using fake taxation book to collect money from traders. It appears that this has been the case for sometime, but since that arrest there were no reported case at Bakara Market, which reduced wide corruption practices that existed there.

8. Over one million dollars is saved every month as a result of very strict procedures at the Ministry of Finance in order to ensure that all money is spent according to financial regulation.

9. Ministerial Financial Committee is established to streamline and unify revenue collections from various ministries within the Federal Government of Somalia in order to implement good-governance, accountability and transparency.

Finally, The Federal Government of Somalia is committed to making further necessary reforms in the public financial management system. Furthermore, the Federal Government is fully aware of previous culture of impunity when it comes to corruption allegations, therefore, Somali leaders are now convinced that all necessary measures to safeguard public resources are implemented including legal proceedings to individuals that are subject to mismanagement of public resources at every level in the government institutions.

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