FRAUD, CORRUPTION AND MISREPRESENTATION SURROUND VILLA SOMALIA DURING INDEPENDENCE WEEK CELEBRATIONS

It was supposed to be a week of celebrations, a week of revival for Somalia and the Somali people wherever they are throughout the continent and the world. It was supposed to be a week to take pride in being a Somali, a week to take stock and celebrate our achievements since independence. Unfortunately, according to the majority of Somalis, there is not much to celebrate for, and not much to hope for under the leadership of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

As Abukar Arman recently wrote, “After 3 painful decades, the average Somali still views his/her government the archetype of power-abuse, magnet of demagoguery, personification of partisanship, agents of disunity, epitome of incompetence, exploiters of resources, executioners of injustice and promoters of corruption.”

If corruption and incompetence were the hallmarks of President Hassan Sheikh’s administration, a new revelation of fraud and misrepresentation of the highest order by the Executive Director of President Hassan Sheikh’s National Economic Council Hassan Adam Hosow who also serves as the President’s Chief Economic Advisor just dropped. MP Abdillahi Hashi Abib in a just revealed letter to the World Bank but dated on 3 May 2024, reveals that the Head of the President’s National Economic Council, who is paid an annual salary of $240,000 by the World Bank is a fraud who isn’t an “Economist” with a PhD as he claims, but rather, according to the records of the University of Illinois, holds a degree in Master of Management.

In his letter MP Abib informs the World Bank that “There is no evidence to support his claim of holding a doctoral degree or a degree in economics, or even majoring in economics in college, despite his public assertions of being an economist by trade.”

MP Abib in his letter to the World Bank continues, “Of particular concern is the fact that Mr. Hosow’s credentials were apparently not vetted by the World Bank prior to his engagement on the project. Given the substantial salary he receives, both as a consultant on the project and as a civil servant within the President’s Office, it is alarming that his qualifications were not thoroughly verified. This oversight reflects poorly on the integrity of the project and raises doubts about the efficacy of its outcomes.”

As for President Hassan Sheikh’s Chief Economic Advisor’s deceitful claim as an Economist, MP Abib asks, does “working full-time at UNSOM as an economic advisor” in 2021-2022 give him credence as an expert Economist?

MP Abib adds that While Director Hossow, the President’s Chief Economic Advisor “has claimed many times to be an accomplished economist with extensive experience in economic research, financial policy development, and regulatory affairs … he has never worked in any financial institution before nor published any research papers.”

The Villa Somalia corruption, fraud and nepotism doesn’t end there, but Hosow, as the head of the President’s National Economic Council, has hired the following individuals as favors for the President and PM Hamza Abdi Barre:

• MR. KAMAL MOHAMED ABDULKARIM – Nephew of the Prime Minister
  Hamza Abdi Bare – US$59,280 – SO-MOPIED-363773-CS-INDV – 1773621
• MR. OMAR MOHAMED ALI – Husband of the Director of FRC (Financial Reporting Center) and now Ex-Husband – US$70,200 – SO-MOF -266891-CS-INDV – 1771744
  Mr. Omar was hired by his wife Amina Mohamed Ali (Director of Financial Reporting Center) and although he is now an ex-husband and is married to the Chief WHIP of the Somali Parliament, his contract is renewed, and he has no education or experience qualification to be hired by WB as a consultant.
• MS. NAIMA MOHAMED ABDULLAHI – Sister-in-law of Governor of the Central Bank of Somalia – US$361,440 – SO-MOF-190091-CS-CDS – 1673301
  Ms. Naima is the sister-in-law of the Governor of the Central Bank of Somalia, and instead of hiring his wife, he hired his sister-in-law. She does not have the basic education and qualifications to be working at the Central Bank of Somalia. Ms. Naima never worked a single day and never showed up to work. I don’t know how WB can justify paying US$361,440 to someone who is not qualified in the first place.
• MR. MOHAMED SHEIKH OSMAN OMAR – Uncle from the mother’s side of Governor of Central Bank of Somalia – US$349,920 – SO-MOF-190093- CS-CDS – 1673306
  Mr. Mohamed is the first uncle (Governor’s mother and Mr. Mohamed are brother-sister) of the Governor. He lives in Laascaanod and never showed up to work and receives WB contract money plus the Central Bank of Somalia salaries and benefit as a consultant. He has no education or job experience. The only qualification of Mr. Mohamed is to be the uncle of the Governor of the Central Bank.

Since the revelations of President Hassan Sheikh’s Chief Economic Advisor Hassan Adam Hosow’s real education and experience, the National Economic Council website has been taken down, but just recently came back online but this time with limited postings from 2023.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hosow still remains as President Hassan Sheikh’s Chief Economic Advisor and Executive Director of the National Economic Council (NEC) with the World Bank paid annual salary of $240,000. However, the Integrity Vice Presidency (INT), an independent unit within the World Bank Group that investigates and pursues sanctions related to allegations of fraud and corruption in World Bank Group-financed projects, has promised to investigate the matter, but has yet to reveal anything.

With all the blatant corruption accusations, the exhuming of cemeteries, and the forcible occupation and takeover of private properties by both directly Speaker Adan Madobe and indirectly President Hassan Sheikh through family and business associates, none of Somalia’s leaders have yet to address the nation and come clean, and none is expected.

With Ethiopia threatening to invade Somalia and takeover the Saylac coast on the Gulf of Aden towards the strategic Bab-el-Mandeb, and everyone pointing fingers at the unbelievable rate of corruption, fraud, and nepotism at Villa Somalia, this independence week will be like no other in the past, as the Somali people have lost hope in their leaders.

Happy independence week!

Contributed to by Daljir staff in Garoowe, Mogadishu and Nairobi