Mogadishu— In a stunning disclosure that has sparked widespread public outrage, a Somali Minister has publicly confessed to engaging in nepotism by appointing his own family members to crucial positions.
The unprecedented revelation made by Jibril Abdirashid Haji Abdi, Somalia’s Minister of Commerce during a recent parliamentary inquiry, has sent shockwaves across the country and beyond Somalia and revealed the pervasive corruption practices within the government.
“The first person that I am going to give a job or appoint for a position is my own sister. Ten positions are being discussed now. If I get ten more, I will give them (relatives),” he said to the shock of lawmakers grilling him.
“ I represent them and they stand behind me and also counting on me. They said you should have done something, so blame me.” He said, insisting that as a result the practice that he described as common should not be seen as ‘unlawful’.
Responding to questions by MPs over reports of nepotism and the entrenched culture of graft, the Minister said that it was within the legal boundaries for officials to hire their relatives for positions.
His statement directly contradicts President Mohamud’s assertions of a strong commitment to combating corruption, casting doubts on the efficacy of the ongoing anti-corruption campaign.
The timing of the revelation is particularly significant as it marks the first instance where a government official openly confirms the prevalence of nepotism in the recruitment process of public servants.
It also comes amid mounting public scrutiny of the government’s new anti-corruption campaign, which has faced allegations of bias, politically motivated witch-hunt and selective enforcement.
Meanwhile, the government official’s remarks have reignited public scrutiny and exacerbated concerns about widespread corruption, and raised questions about the credibility of the government’s projected anti-corruption drive and its commitment to tackling the issue.
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