In a highly explosive report, MP Abdillahi Hashi Abib writes to President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and brings to his attention detailed report of the persistent, pervasive and rampant corruption in his administration. “This report outlines the severity of these issues and the urgent need for immediate action to protect the future of Somalia and restore trust in its leadership,” writes MP Abib to President Hassan Sheikh.
MP Abib who met President Hassan Sheikh during the election season was hopeful of his leadership, and remembering those days writes, “Reflecting on our meeting on April 29, 2022, during the election, I remember our passionate discussion about the numerous issues facing our country. We found common ground on many issues and envisioned a future where Somalia could thrive through strategic and inclusive governance. It seemed we shared a common vision for Somalia’s future at that time.”
But that hope evaporated as soon as Hassan Sheikh was elected to the Presidency and corruption and nepotism started ruling the day, and all the MPs suggestions and inquiries failed to see the light of day.
“Over the past 18 months, I have diligently submitted numerous letters to you and your esteemed cabinet ministers, detailing the pervasive issues of corruption, lack of accountability, transparency, and incompetence that are severely undermining our economic development and social services. Despite my persistent efforts to bring these critical issues to your attention, I have been met with a resounding silence. This lack of response is deeply troubling, as it not only undermines the principles of accountability and transparency but also emboldens those who believe they are above the law. The rule of law is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy, and its erosion poses a grave threat to our nation’s stability and prosperity,” writes MP Abib to the President.
MP Abib continues, “instead of receiving a considered and constructive response from you, the Prime Minister, or other cabinet ministers regarding the serious allegations I have raised, I have been met with continuous harassment, threats, and lawsuits orchestrated by members of the cabinet and government employees. These individuals have gone as far as to hire U.S. and Kenyan lawyers to obstruct me from fulfilling my constitutional duties and responsibilities, which I solemnly swore to uphold. Just to give sample of messages I got from your officials:
- State Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Ali Omar sent me a text message after reading my letter to the Global Partnership for Education, stating that the Minister of Education, Culture, and Higher Education had violated Federal Constitution Articles 52 and 54 by interfering with the Federal Member States’ authority and due to his conflict of interest in decision-making for Somali youth’s education. He cautioned, “You are getting out of control, my brother. Please be mindful you are an MP and have all the tools to correct this if you are serious about these issues.”
- The President’s senior advisor for Women and Social Affairs sent a text reading, “Waa Lagaa Warqabaa” (“We are aware of it”).
- The Director of the National Economic Council sent multiple texts, including, “I have now an agreement with my lawyer in Virginia. A letter will be coming to you very soon,” referring to Mr. Jeremy, who was indicted by the US Justice Department for defrauding Somalia of its foreign assets. These threats and harassment stem from my oversight investigation of the Executive Branches of the Federal Government.”
Referring to the President’s Friday Prayer Sermons at Villa Somalia Mosque, MP Abib reminds President Hassan Sheikh that “You have repeatedly emphasized in your Friday prayer speeches the necessity of holding government officials accountable for their actions. You have appealed to the conscience of the Somali people, urging parents and relatives of government employees to report any instances of theft. You stated unequivocally: “I am asking the parents or relatives of government employees who are stealing public funds and buying perfumes that cost $1,000 to please report to the government. It is not acceptable.”
But as MP Abib proves the President’s Friday Prayer Sermons were purely for propaganda purposes, and he writes, “the incontrovertible evidence I have provided, illustrating the looting of public funds by officials at all levels of government, including the Office of President and the Prime Minister, has gone unaddressed.”
Then MP Abib details the corruption in the President’s administration and begins with the Minister of Finance who he says has “hired individuals for World Bank-funded projects managed by the Ministry of Finance without a bidding process or verification of education and experience qualifications. The Minister hired relatives and associates of Villa Somalia, the Office of the Prime Minister, and the inner circle of Villa Somalia to keep his job, violating the Procurement Act. On December 28, 2023, the Minister authorized the Immigration and Citizenship Agency to appropriate its revenue without parliamentary oversight, breaking the Appropriation Act of 2023. This action led to the Auditor General of Somalia indicting more than seven officials in April 2023 for stealing over $21 million from the Treasury Single Account at the Central Bank of Somalia by violating the Appropriation Act. The Minister of Finance, responsible for government finance, fiscal policy, and financial regulation, is incompetent and unqualified, violating the rule of law and the Code of Ethical Conduct with impunity. The President and the Prime Minister are aware of his wrongdoing but have taken no action against him.”
Then MP Abib moves on to an extreme corruption at the Minister of Education, where he details a discussion with Italy’s ambassador to Somalia on “a critical matter for the Italian government.”
MP Abib detailing the discussion writes to the President that “The ambassador faced significant difficulties in implementing a priority project funded by the Italian government to rebuild the Somali National University campus with $300 million. Knowing my passion for this project, the ambassador sought my help to convince the university’s Rector to cooperate after many delays. The ambassador presented the detailed plan and new design, including a European-standard curriculum, which the Rector had rejected. I successfully brought both sides together, but unfortunately, after the Minister of Education, Culture, and Higher Education signed an MOU with the Italian organization MedOr in Rome, the project stalled. The ambassador was extremely disappointed.”
MP Abib then explains the main reason behind the Italian project’s failure and blames it on a conflict of interest with Minister Farah Abdikadir. “Rebuilding the Somali National University to high-quality EU educational standards would significantly impact private universities like Simad University in Mogadishu. As the President and Minister of Education, Culture, and Higher Education own these private universities, they would lose substantial revenue, creating a direct conflict of interest. This conflict is destroying any hope for Somali youth to receive a quality education, violating the President and his Minister’s constitutional oath to defend and protect Somali citizens,” writes MP Abib.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Somalia is another glaring case in the rampant and pervasive corruption under President Hassan Sheikh. MP Abib writes that the Governor “receives a salary, bonuses, and additional funds totaling more than $20,000 per month. He withdraws money from the Central Bank for personal expenses like electricity, water, rent, laundry, and groceries. He also buys Apple laptops, iPhones, and incurs lavish travel expenses with taxpayer funds without justification. The Governor bypasses the Bank’s Board to sign checks worth more than $100,000 without their approval, violating the CBS Act. The Board members ignore these issues due to personal interests. One Board member dismissed my concerns, claiming the Governor was “clean” and accusing me of being obsessed with him and the CBS. This same Board member signed the external audit report without reading it. The Governor hired his uncle and sister-in-law for a $360,000 World Bank-funded project called SCALE-UP without a bidding process or verifying qualifications, violating the Procurement Act and World Bank Procurement Code. According to employees, these individuals never show up for work.”
Providing details after details of corruption and nepotism of the highest order, MP Abib writes, “The consequences of rampant corruption are acutely felt by our people, who look to the government for promises of economic development and essential social services. When resources meant for public welfare are diverted through corrupt practices, it is the ordinary Somali who bears the brunt of the consequences – the child deprived of education, the patient denied medical care, the family struggling to access clean water. Every day that corruption goes unchecked is another day of betrayal to our people and a hindrance to our collective progress.”
Concluding his letter to President Hassan Sheikh and appealing to the President’s sense of duty and responsibility, he asks the President “to take immediate and decisive action to address these critical issues. The future of our nation depends on our ability to uphold the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency. It is only through such measures that we can build a prosperous and stable Somalia for future generations.”
Contributed to by Daljir staff in Garoowe and Nairobi
FAALLOOYIN & FALCELIN