Somali MP Exposes Massive Government Corruption, Calls for Audit and Donor Action
Mogadishu, Somalia – In an explosive letter, Somali Member of Parliament Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib has revealed extensive financial mismanagement and potential corruption within the Somali government. Citing over 400 gigabytes of analyzed expenditure data, Dr. Abib detailed questionable withdrawals, inflated contracts, and nepotism in government spending.
Key Figures on Financial Mismanagement in Somalia
Costs Related to National Security Agencies
- Danab Forces: $28,963 per month for food.
- Gorgor Defense Forces: $42,737.40 (Success Trading and Logistics) and $47,891.30 (SAM Logistics) per month for food.
- National Defense Forces: $276,263.40 per month for food from each of Daljir Trading and Scandinavian Trading, and $48,500 per month for healthcare from IRAAF Trading.
- National Police Forces: $288,518 per month for food from Real Gold Construction Co., $158,292 per month in cash for additional food (“IDIINKA”), and $69,271.58 per month for fuel from United Group Company.
- National Correctional Forces: $165,290.00 per month for food from SAM Logistics and $25,543.01 per month for fuel from BLUE LINE PETROLEUM.
Costs Related to the Office of the President
- Trips: $3,011,999.78 in cash withdrawals from the Central Bank of Somalia.
- Machinery: $902,557.70 from Sadech Builders Logistic Consultant Co.
- Advisory services: $81,992.
- Monthly fuel: $30,229.80 to Daljir Trading and General Service.
- Other monthly expenses: $21,166.37 to True Way General Service Co.
- Entertainment of visiting delegations: $189,455 for Djibouti, $45,826.68, $44,114.15, and $47,539.22 for Religious Leaders, $60,000 for the East Africa Community, and $136,430 for other purposes.
Costs Related to the Office of the Prime Minister
- Advisors: $36,508.
- Monthly advisory fees: $48,500 to Timely Logistics & Supplies Co.
- Trips: $1,589,335.75 in cash.
- Monthly car rental: $36,316.80 to Diirshe Car Rent.
- Monthly fuel: $40,546 to Hass Petroleum Somalia LTD.
- Car purchase: $194,000 from Blink Logistic Services.
- Renovation and repairs: $145,500 to EECoS and $194,983.43 to Prestige Real Estate Development and Infrastructure.
- Emergency support for Hirshabeele: $407,400 to Daljir Trading and General Service.
- Monthly airfare: $48,484.58 to Super Travel and Logistics.
It’s widely known that Somali Government Officials utilize ‘travel’ as a means to enrich themselves, as evidenced by numerous leaked travel budgets in the past
Costs Related to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
- Monthly advisory fees: $48,500 to Timely Logistics & Supplies Co.
- Trips: $80,000.
Other Executive Branch Costs
- Monthly rent payments for various officials, including the First Deputy Speaker, Second Deputy Speaker, and Permanent Secretary of the House of People, First Deputy Speaker and Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and State Ministers of various departments, Governor of the Central Bank, Chairperson of National Civil Services, Chief of Supreme Court of Somalia, the Solicitor General of Somalia, Auditor general of Somalia, Attorney General of Somalia, and General Manager and Deputy General Manager of National Telecommunication Agency.
- Office of the Parliament: $700,000 in cash withdrawals for 30 trips outside the country. Monthly fuel expenditure of $39,731.20 to LUQMAN PETROLEUM COMPANY LTD. $135,800 to Daljir Trading and General Service for Member of Parliament support and assistance, $48,189.60 monthly to DEH Construction and Logistics Co. Ltd for food catering service, and $47,607.60 monthly to Mogadishu Guest House & Restaurant for catering services.
Costs Related to Renovations and Other Expenses
- State Minister of Finance’s residence: $47,872.41 for rehabilitation and $46,653.12 for furnishing by Sam Logistics General Service Company.
- Minister of Agriculture’s office: $23,915.35 and $43,916.75 for rehabilitation by Muraal General Service Company.
- Ministry of Petroleum and Mining: $82,954.93 for rehabilitation by Somecco Engineering Construction Company.
- Minister of Information’s residence: $41,710 for rehabilitation by DEH Construction and Logistics Co. LTD, which also received $47,035.30 for transportation services.
- Ministry of Management of Disaster Relief: $530,840 in cash to Mr. Abdinasir Hassan Mo’alim for urgent disaster response.
- Ministry of Planning: $100,000 for an Investment Conference to Ilyash Logistic Services.
- Ministry of Education and Higher Education: $373,728.39 and $373,171.61 for education and training to Sam Logistics General Service Company.
- Superior Court: $68,000 in cash to Mr. Abdiqadir Suufi Osman for training expenses.
- Academic of Somali Language: $108,000 in cash to Mr. Abdillahi Hasan Shiikhaalow for conference travel expenses.
- Ministry of Finance: $1,334,880 for inland tax collection equipment.
- Somalia National University: $238,056.29 on advisory services.
- First and Second Deputy Speakers of the Senate: $116,400 each for new cars from Haas Company and Buubaal Motors.
- First and Second Deputy Speakers of the House of People: $407,400 for new cars from Buubaal Motors.
- Somalia Civil Aviation Authority: $164,585.98 on immovable property and $116,122.58 on outpatient medical expenses.
- Senate: $44,092.32 monthly to Muraal General Service Company for other expenses.
- Ministry of Defense: $518,950 monthly to Daljir Trading and General Services for other expenses.
- National Defense Forces: $367,449.20 monthly on “IDIINKA” in cash and $52,380 monthly to UUDEY Trading Service for other expenses.
World Bank Projects:
- Over 1,800 contracts analyzed.
- Many contracts awarded to unqualified companies, some owned by government officials.
- Relatives of government officials hired for lucrative positions.
- Investigation initiated into World Bank project employees and senior managers.
This information is based on the analysis conducted by Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib, a Member of Parliament in Somalia. It highlights significant financial irregularities and potential corruption within the Somali government, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive audit and greater transparency in public spending.
The letter highlights significant misuse of funds across various government entities, including millions in questionable cash withdrawals for trips by the Office of the President and the Office of the Prime Minister. Dr. Abib also raised concerns about World Bank projects in Somalia, alleging contract awards to unqualified companies and the hiring of relatives of government officials for lucrative positions.
Dr. Abib called for a comprehensive audit of all executive branch entities and urged international donors to reconsider their financial support for the Somali government unless concrete actions are taken to address corruption and ensure transparency. This revelation has sent shockwaves through the Somali political landscape and raised serious questions about the effectiveness of international aid in the country.