MOGADISHU — Somali Prime Minister Hamsa Abdi Barre has come under scrutiny for withdrawing a staggering $420,000 in travel costs for his recent trip to the United States.
The disclosure of the exorbitant costs related to Mr. Barre’s recent official trip to New York has raised eyebrows and concerns over the transparency and responsible use of government funds.
Sources close to the Auditor General’s Office have disclosed that Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre received an advance payment of $40,000 for hotel bookings, with the remaining $380,000 collected by his team as travel expenses.
The nature of these costs has left many in the country questioning the justification for such expenditures, especially for a relatively short trip.
The development has also stirred unease within the government and drawn sharp criticism from various quarters as the nation grapples with severe economic challenges.
According to officials, Ahmed Esse Gutale, the Auditor General disturbed by the high travel expenses, has taken the matter up with the Presidency in a protest against what appears to be a misuse of public funds.
The concerns expressed by the Auditor General highlight the need for transparency and fiscal responsibility within the Somali Government.
This controversy unfolds against the backdrop of recent announcements by the Minister of Finance Bihi Iman Egeh regarding pay cuts for non-cvil service employees.
The Minister cited a lack of sufficient funds to sustain the current payroll as the reason behind these cuts, which have been met with widespread discontent among the affected employees.
Meanwhile, the Somali Prime Minister embarked on the diplomatic mission to New York this week to address the United Nations’ General Assembly and strengthen multilateral relations with Somalia’s strategic partners including UN Security Council Members.
However, the details of the trip’s expenditure have ignited a public outcry. Government officials have yet to release an official breakdown of the costs, but sources inside the administration indicate that the expenses incurred during the trip far exceeded the allocated budget.
This includes lavish accommodations, travels and a large entourage, officials said.
Somali Prime Minister’s Office hasn’t yet commented on the new controversy surrounding his travel costs that have put pressure on the government to be more transparent about its financial decisions, particularly at a time when international donors are closely monitoring the country’s use of aid and foreign assistance amid a push for debt relief.
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