Mogadishu: Sharif Xasan Yarisow ministers for embezzlement

[General Duke]

Somalia: Ministers accused of state funds embezzlement

12 May 12, 2010 - 2:51:06 PM

 

Somali parliamentary oversight and accountability committee has accused Finance Minister Sharif Hassan Sheikh Adan and his monetary counterpart Eng. Abdirahman Yarisow of embezzling state funds for political gains.

 

Lawmaker Asho Ahmed Abdalla, a member of the committee, said the two ministers misused the grants and government funds collected from the sea port and airport.

 

“We have sent them (ministers) letters asking for clarifications on the government expenditure but they refused to reply back and that’s why we have released this statement,” said Lawmaker Mohammed Sheikh Ali (Watch) while reading press statement for reporters.

 

“(President) Sharif and (Prime Minister) Sharma’arke are held responsible for the mismanagement of funds by their ministers, because they are the ones who keep them in the positions and encourage them not respond to our inquiries,” he added.

 

Reports indicate that Finance Minister has been secretly disbursing funds to encourage Somali MPs to pressure the resignation of parliament Speaker Sheikh Aden Mohamed "Madobe.

 

Several lawmakers have been arguing that the speakers’ tenure had expired and want fresh elections for the position, which Sharif Aden was reportedly eyeing.

 

The embezzlement of the funds has made hard for the fragile government to pay the salary of lawmakers, troops, and civil servants.

 

In March 2009, more than $16 million was freezed in Malaysia after it emerged that the account belongs to finance minister. The money was supposed to be transferred to European accounts.

 

Critics say that the rampant corruption and embezzlement of the funds is affecting the operations of the UN-backed government which is faced with determined Islamist insurgents that want to overthrow it.

 

GAROWE ONLINE