Transparency and accountability stand as the bedrock of any credible anti-corruption endeavors. However, despite subsequent promises to combat corruption by the current Somali administration, the nation’s purported battle against the scourge of graft has been marred with accusations of selectivity and impunity.
President Hassan Sheikh and PM Hamza’s anti-corruption efforts once heralded as a beacon of hope for a nation struggling with deep-rooted corruption, now face scrutiny for their perceived lack of transparency, fairness, and outright political bias. What at first seemed bold official claims of a strong commitment to combat this deeply ingrained problem, recent events have revealed an unsettling pattern of partial justice and impunity.
OVERSIGHT CRISIS, ZERO INDEPENDENCE
Transparency and accountability, which are vital for any successful anti-corruption campaign, are now at risk due to the dismantling of the NACC.
One of the key concerns surrounding the ongoing fight against corruption is the lack of oversight. Critics argue that the lack of oversight and the absence of an independent anti-corruption body could provide fertile ground for the continuation of corrupt practices.
On October 9, 2022, President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud dissolved Somalia’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), a crucial institution that would have taken the lead in the battle against corruption and ensuring the prosecution of wrongdoers in a shocking move.
This continued vacuum of the Anti-Corruption Commission has undermined the progress of new anti-corruption initiatives, which now suffer from a lack of transparency, accountability, and adherence to the guiding principles that should govern their operations.
Experts believe that the dissolution of NACC has not only weakened the institutional framework but has also undermined public trust in the government’s commitment to fighting corruption.
Allegations have surfaced, suggesting that the government has chosen political affiliations or personal interests to shield influential figures while targeting certain individuals mostly from minority communities or personals with lesser influence.
This has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to genuine reform and its ability to address corruption at its core. Critics argue that those pursued are often perceived as weaker actors, lacking the political or financial clout to navigate the labyrinthine corridors of power.
A case in point here is related to Abdullahi Mohamed Sultan, the Director General of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs who was arrested by the police at his residence two weeks ago. According to sources familiar with the matter, Sultan stands accused of negligence in his duties, as he was allegedly unaware of corrupt activities taking place within the Ministry.
TIPPING OFF SUSPECTS
Perhaps the most glaring aspect of this flawed battle against corruption is the apparent tipping off of certain corruption suspects about impending investigations and arrest warrants.
Several government officials, including the Director of Inland Revenue at the Finance Ministry, Senior Directors of the Immigration and Naturalization Directorate and a handful of other civil servants have reportedly evaded arrest by fleeing the country after they were alerted about their imminent arrests and ongoing corruption investigations, prompting their escapes.
This alarming practice not only compromises the element of surprise necessary for effective law enforcement, but it also exposes a disturbing level of complicity within the system.
It begs the question: are there hidden hands at play, ensuring the escape of those with connections and leaving the rest to face the full force of the law?
Moreover, the anti-corruption drive’s inherent bias becomes even more pronounced when one examines the composition of the targeted individuals.
This skewed approach reinforces a distressing narrative: the powerful can continue their illicit activities with impunity, while the less fortunate bear the brunt of the authorities’ selective wrath.
Some of the country’s opposition leaders have also highlighted these concerns, warning that Somalia’s anti-corruption drive risks becoming a tool for political repression rather than a genuine effort to tackle graft. They have called for urgent reforms to ensure an impartial and comprehensive approach to combating corruption in the country.
The lack of accountability for corruption has not only undermined public trust but also hindered Somalia’s socio-economic development. Vital sectors, such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure, continue to suffer from inadequate resources and rampant embezzlement, hindering progress and exacerbating poverty levels.
Somalia’s struggle against corruption is further hampered by a lack of effective measures to tackle the root causes of this malaise. Piecemeal efforts and superficial reforms have done little to address the underlying systemic issues that enable corruption to flourish.
Without comprehensive structural changes, any gains made in the fight against graft are likely to be short-lived and symbolic at best.
UNACCOUNTED KHAT REVENUE
The much-hyped anti-corruption campaign led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has come under scrutiny as concerns about the unaccounted tax revenue from Khat imports continue to mount. With over five million dollars in monthly revenue directly going into the president and his close associates, referred to as the ‘Khat Cartels’, questions arise regarding the true motives behind this highly-publicized campaign.
The issue at hand revolves around the importation of Khat to Somalia, where dealers are charged a substantial fee of $4.5 per kilo at the Mogadishu Airport Custom. However, these dealers have recently voiced their grievances, claiming that the levy is impeding their trade, demanding the abolition of what they deem as “illegal” fees.
Although the government continues to push back calls for an explanation of the illegal levy phenomenon which further fueled suspicions of corruption. According to officials, a cartel associated with President Mohamud stands to benefit from this levy.
These allegations are particularly troubling as the charge was introduced following the lifting of the Khat ban soon after the president’s election, raising questions about possible connections between the two events.
As the controversy surrounding the unaccounted tax revenue deepens, calls for an independent investigation into these allegations have grown louder.
For now, the fate of the anti-corruption campaign and the potential repercussions on the President’s credibility remain a matter of public concern.
However, as the public seeks answers, it is important for the president to address these allegations promptly and transparently to maintain the trust and confidence of the Somali people.
SAVE THE FAILING CAMPAIGN
Least but not last, to restore faith in Somalia’s anti-corruption campaign, it is imperative that Somalia’s government reevaluates its approach. And take note of the following recommendations:
1. A genuine commitment to transparency, impartiality and accountability is urgently needed.
2. A robust and impartial anti-graft body and an independent judiciary should be empowered to investigate corruption cases without fear or favor, ensuring that justice is served regardless of an individual’s stature.
3. Bolstering anti-corruption institutions and enacting comprehensive legislation to deter corrupt practices are imperative steps toward restoring trust in the system.
4. Appointing non-partisan and qualified anti-corruption officials, such as a competent Auditor General is another urgent matter that could restore the confidence in the campaign by both the international partners and local population.
Despite the immense challenges and obstacles at hand, the battle against corruption is not an easy one, but it is one that Somalia cannot afford to lose. A nation devastated by decades of conflict and instability deserves a future free from the clutches of graft.
The time has come for Somalia to rise above the shadows of selective justice, witch-hunts, and impunity. Only then can the true essence of accountability and progress flourish, bringing hope and prosperity to a nation yearning for a brighter tomorrow.
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