Mogadishu – In a bold move to combat the pervasive corruption wrecking Somalia, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has reiterated his commitment to fighting the deep-rooted graft problem, vowing to ensure that those responsible face justice.
In an address the nation on the eve of Eid Al-Adha festivities on Tuesday, President Mohamud pledged to use all available resources and means at his government’s disposal to tackle corruption head-on.
Reaffirming his commitments for transparency and accountability, the President has announced a rigorous approach that not only entails the arrests of corrupt officials but also exposing their wrong doings to the public through a strategy dubbed ‘Naming & Shaming’.
“Whoever stole the public funds, the taxes collected from the hard-working mothers selling tea to make ends meet and also from those young poor rickshaw drivers is a thief who has to pay the price.” He said.
The Somali leader’s strong remarks come amid reports about the authorization of arrest warrants for a significant number of current and former government officials, including prominent figures accused of corruption.
According to reliable sources within the government, over 70 individuals, including current ministers and a deputy minister,m are among those facing imminent arrests ordered by President Mohamud who vowed a decisive action to combat the corruption crisis and hold those in power accountable for their actions.
Observers suggested that targeting high-profile officials demonstrates the government’s determination to root out the deeply entrenched network of corruption that has hindered progress and undermined public trust.
“You will no longer be able to use the illegal stolen money to buy and develop properties in Nairobi or Istanbul and get away with it.” He warned.
In his speech, the President expressed optimism that the “serious” anti corruption campaign would yield tangible results in addressing this longstanding issue.
The battle against corruption has long presented a formidable challenge in Somalia. Leaders have made similar commitments to combat corruption in the past, but struggled to achieve concrete outcomes.
Facebook Comments