Hiiraan Online
Wednesday February 24, 2016
MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somalia’s president says his government had set up systems and processes that safeguarded transparency and neutralized corruption In the horn of Africa nation, urging donors to fulfill years of promise to provide a direct budget support to Somalia.
Having praised for showing a determination to fight corruption, Somalia’s current government is struggling to combat the corruption which remains a major public complaint in the country where unscrupulous officials often evade public scrutiny.
“It is not enough that although the government has worked tirelessly to tick the boxes, set up systems and processes that safeguard transparency and protect against corruption that we are still waiting for those three-year-old promises of direct budget support to materialize.” Somali president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said in a speech delivered at the High-Level Partnership Forum in Istanbul Tuesday.
“We must do more so that we are able to learn to manage our own resources, to prove that we can do it.” He said.
In his speech, Mr. Mohamud has also highlighted challenges facing the Somali army which struggling to contain the deadly insurgency by Al Shabab, urging the international community to lift the arms embargo imposed in 1993 to enable transform the old-fashioned military arms for modern ones.
“We must do more so that the outdated arms embargo that limits our ability to provide our troops with the tools they need to bring security to Somalia is completely lifted.” He told donor representatives at the forum.
Somali army also faces logistical problems, a key challenge which every so often forces troops to seek arms support from the better-equipped AU peacekeepers that often share personal rations and fuel with Somali soldiers with whom they fight side-by-side.
Addressing donors’ support to Somalia viewed by many as ‘half-hearted’, he reiterated that Somalia didn’t need ‘cynicism’ but instead a more serious support.
“What Somalia needs now is rapid and full investment in real change: in change that makes a difference for Somalis all over Somalia.” He said.
Hundreds of millions of dollars in aid are given to Somali government by donors each year; however the funds are largely channeled through the United Nations, with relations between the two sides are fraught with mistrust as donors repeatedly accused Somali officials of routinely misappropriating public funds.
However, Somali government believes that the allegations served as a ploy designed to further keep funds meant for Somalia under NGOs’ control.