Yes, it’s a name and shame report but an equally important one with a clear message to Somali leaders: there’s no such thing as impunity.
The recent report by SEMG has like previous years attracted a lot of criticism from Somalis. The usual lines of fire are: SEMG has fabricated stories; the Group has no evidence to back up its allegations; and that the SEMG is not credible as an independent group. As a close observer of the SEMG reports, I can honestly say many of the criticisms leveled against SEMG have no real basis and are mostly of cheap political gimmicks to deflect focus away from the wrongdoers.
Over the years, for those who have a genuine interest in seeing Somalia progress SEMG has uncovered a series of obstacles that have kept Somalia in a cycle of conflict. For that Somalis should be thankful that not all UN agencies are like the corrupt UNDP or WFP that had colluded with Al-Shabaab in the name of "access”. Rather than support the work of SEMG in trying to bring accountability to Somalia many have jumped on the political bandwagon of maligning SEMG and its work.
An example is the recent report of SEMG. Thankfully a handful of SEMG’s critics would have Somalis believe the current president and his so-called "advisers” are innocent and corruption-free. Only in Somalia can a president embezzle State funds through ‘secret contracts’ and have the temerity to publicly deny such allegations by orchestrating a public lynch mob against the SEMG. For those in doubt about SEMG’s allegations against the president and his advisers, I urge you to read the mammoth of evidence produced by the SEMG, which strongly implicates senior officials. The evidence is so overwhelming that it should be used in a court of law to convict some of the senior officials involved in the ‘secret contracting’ scam.
Reading SEMG’s last four reports it’s now clear that Somalia under its leaders has become the gold standard in terms of corruption. To make matters worse, Somalis seem all too prepared to accept corruption as the only viable system of governance in Somalia. How is it that we applaud our leaders when they act and discharge their functions corruptly? It’s only in Somalia that a notorious pirate leader can be rewarded for his crimes with a diplomatic passport to allow him travel unhindered internationally. If not for the courage of the SEMG Somalis and the international community would be in the dark of about such a bizarre privilege granted to a criminal at the request of an influential Somali businesswoman.
Likewise, on the security front, the government claims it’s determined to rid Somalia of Al-Shabaab but the same government goes on to sell arms and ammunition donated by international donors to Al-Shabaab. Our understanding of government arms to Al-Shabaab is only much clearer once again due to the tireless efforts of the SEMG in uncovering this shameful act. Rather than call for accountability on such a ludicrous and treasonable act, Somalis are told SEMG has its facts wrong.
It would be wrong to suggest that SEMG has not made mistakes in which it has but there comes a time when we Somalis must summon the courage and ask hard questions of our corrupt leaders. Trying to vilify the SEMG as the perennial bad guys of Somali politics plays into the hands our corrupt leaders. I for one would rather have SEMG expose our corrupt leaders than let scams such as ‘secret contracting’ continue unnoticed by Somalis.
By Hassan Abdulle
Waagacusub.net - Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday mourned the death of Namibia President Hage G. Geingob and sent condolences to the government of the African country. Full Article
Waagacusub.net - Somalia's former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Monday warned of the risk of political crisis over plans by the incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to overhaul the constitution. Full Article
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President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government. Full Article
Waagacusub.net -Auditor General Mohamed Ali alias Afgoi has exposed missing millions of dollars from key departments within the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS], in what could raise questions about government expenditures. In his report, Afgoi said 25 entities and three embassies have been audited. Unsupported expenditure amounts to $9M; contracts worth $31M not registered with auditor general's office, the existence of unauthorized bank accounts outside the Treasury Single Account. Full Article
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Waagacusub.net - Kenyan ambassador to Somalia Lucas Tumbo has today arrived in Somali capital, Mogadishu barely a week the two countries agreed restore their diplomatic ties. Full Article
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President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government.
Waagacusub.net -Auditor General Mohamed Ali alias Afgoi has exposed missing millions of dollars from key departments within the Federal Government of Somalia [FGS], in what could raise questions about government expenditures. In his report, Afgoi said 25 entities and three embassies have been audited. Unsupported expenditure amounts to $9M; contracts worth $31M not registered with auditor general's office, the existence of unauthorized bank accounts outside the Treasury Single Account.
Waagacusub.net - IBS Bank Somalia, which is believed to have the largest amount of money, Al-Qaeda Finance Secretary Fazul Abdallah from Comoros has started issuing Visa Card Payments for the first time. Al-Shabaab's finance secretary confirmed that Mohamed Ali Warsame had $ 157 million in cash, according to Khalif Ereg, who was later bribed with $ 2 million.
I hereby inform the country that By virtue of the Authority given to the President of Uganda by Articles: 108(2), 108A(1), 113(1) and 114(1) of the 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda, I hereby appoint H.E. the Vice President, Rt. Hon. Prime Minister, Honourable Cabinet Ministers and other Ministers as indicated below:
The Associated Somali Journalists is deeply concerned that journalists were today barred from covering the meeting of the leaders of the Federal Government of Somalia and Federal Member States (FMSs) as well as the Governor and Mayor of Mogadishu.
Waagacusub.net - Somalia's President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Sunday mourned the death of Namibia President Hage G. Geingob and sent condolences to the government of the African country. Full Article
Waagacusub.net - Somalia's former President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo on Monday warned of the risk of political crisis over plans by the incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to overhaul the constitution. Full Article
Waagacusub.net - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi said his country will protect Somalia against any threat in what can be described as an indirect response to recent Ethiopia's move to access the seaport of Somaliland. Full Article
Egypt on Tuesday condemned a suicide bomber attack in Somalia that killed at least 20 soldiers. The attack took place at a training camp in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, on Monday. The al-Shabab terrorist group claimed responsibility. Full Article
President HSM's Proclamation to Defeat Al-Shabab by Force in Somalia To overcome the complex problems of civil war, state fragility, and underdevelopment, the Somali people supported risky political changes for a government that promotes freedom, justice, peace, and prosperity in Somalia. For example, the Islamic movements enjoyed popular support to end the brutal reigns of warlords and the military occupation of Ethiopia and establish new government. Full Article
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Somalia SEMG: An inconvenient truth
Waagacusub.net - Every year Somalis from all walks of life wait anxiously for the annual UN Monitoring Group report. Whether one admits it or not the report is the only form of accountability in Somalia.