SEMG Report attests that IC is an accomplice to Somalia's strife
31/10/2012
The leaked and publicly debated report of Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring
Group (SEMG) of the United Nations has uncovered unimaginable range of
predatory activities perpetrated by Somali leaders as well as by large
number of foreign actors against Somalia's peace, stability, sovereignty,
unity and self-governance. The deep rooted pervasive corruption and
mismanagement of the leaders of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG)
and the widespread violations of UN resolutions by States, Private Security
Companies (PSCs), and Private Maritime Security Companies (PMSCs) have been
well documented. The SEMG Report attests that the International Community
(IC), particularly the United Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), the
Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the International
Contact Group (ICG) are accomplices to Somalia's strife.
According to the report, TFG has no control over Somalia's sea, air and land
space. AMISOM, Ethiopia, Civil Aviation Caretaker Authority of Somalia,
(CACAS), Bancroft Global Development (USA), Pathfinder (SA), Sterling
Corporation Services/Saracen International (UAE), numerous PSCs and PMSCs
control Somali Nominal Authority. In one year, close to two hundred
unidentified flights arrived and left in Puntland and South Central Somalia
for unspecified missions.
The fundamental conclusion of 2012 SEMG report with regard to Somalia is as
follows:
1. Under the Transitional Federal Institutions, the systematic
misappropriation, embezzlements and outright theft of taxpayer funds have
become a system of governance in Somalia, embodied in the popular phrase
"Maxaa igu jira?"("What's in it for me?").
2. Somalia's prospect for stabilization and effective governance have
fallen prey to political and commercial "elite" who appropriate, privatize
and criminalize the core functions of the Somali State enriching themselves
while perpetuating a political economy of State collapse.
For recollection, the 2011 SEMG report stated that "The principal
impediments to security and stabilization in southern Somalia are the
Transitional Federal Government Leadership's lack of vision or cohesion, its
endemic corruption and its failure to advance the political process." Both
reports has sufficiently discredited the false depiction by UNPOS, IGAD and
ICG that TFG is a responsible and legitimate representative government of
Somalia. Worse, the comment of Dr. Augustine Mahiga, head of UNPOS, to the
findings of the report conveyed message of indifference and business as
usual. The continuation of the Roadmap process for ending the transition
under the discredited TFG leaders is inconceivable and without merit.
Corruption and mismanagement of TFG leaders
In 2011, the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Finance, Money and
Protection of Public Assets of the Transitional Federal Parliament (TFP)
presented its preliminary findings of missing funds to parliament and media
after conducting an investigation of government revenue and expenditure. The
investigation has been quickly terminated by the top TFG leaders. For
reasons to be examined other time, UNPOS and IGAD purposefully decided to
disband the parliament and to establish instead a new Authority composed of
six individuals under the fancy name - "Signatories of the Roadmap process."
Prime Minister Prof Abdiweli M. Ali claims to be the brainchild of this
deceptive process.
Then, the Director of the Office of Public Finance Management Unit (PFMU) in
the Office of Prime Minister Mr. Abdirizak Fartag issued Audit report
indicating unaccounted and unrealized amount of $ 278 million dollars in
2009-2010. PM Mohamed Abdullahi "Formajo" under pressure closed down PFMU
and fired the Director.
For corroboration, the World Bank
<
http://www.diirad.com/maqaallo/3993-semg-report-attests-that-ic-is-an-accom
plice-to-somalias-strife.html#sdfootnote1sym> 1 (WB) conducted Financial
Diagnostic Assessment (FDA) of the Audit Investigative Financial Report of
2009-2010 and issued detailed report dated May 30, 2012. The WB report
confirmed that $ 131 million dollars ($ 164 million of estimated collection
less $33 million declared by TFG) are uncounted for 2009-2010. The report
found that the source of mismanagement originated from the fact that the
power to collect and disburse public funds constitutionally invested in the
Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank, the Accountant General and the
Auditor General as institutions was practically exercised by the following
officials:
1. Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed President of TFG
2. Sharif Hassan Sh. Adan Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister
(Speaker)
3. Abdirizak Osman Hassan "Jurile"" Minister for Post and
Telecommunication
4. Abdirahman Haji Adan Ibrahim Minister for Fisheries and Marine
Resources
5. Abdirashid Mohamed Hashi Minister of Commerce
6. Mohamed Ibrahim Habsade Minister of Ports and Marine Transport
In addition, the 2012 SEMG report identified at least 15 Somali individuals
<
http://www.diirad.com/maqaallo/3993-semg-report-attests-that-ic-is-an-accom
plice-to-somalias-strife.html#sdfootnote2sym> 2 defined as "political and
commercial elite" involved in various activities under investigation. The
dealings of the group have been branded as cartel-style arrangement for the
purpose of personal profit.
As illustrative cases, SEMG concentrated on the investigation of four
transactions engaged by the TFG. First, it analyzed, transcribed and
endorsed the FDA of the World Bank, which discovered the missing of $ 131
million dollars. Second, it investigated for evidence the mismanagement of $
5 million dollars ($ 3 million dollar donated by Omani Government to the
Somali National Security Agency (SNA), $ 1 million dollar donated by South
Sudan Government for special purpose, and $ 1 million dollar paid by SKI Air
Logistics after it received Mogadishu Airport Contract). Third, it probed
the shady process for printing 5 trillion banknotes in Sudan in defiance of
all legal, administrative and technical procedures. And fourth, it described
the corrupt handling of the project for issuing new Passport and National
Identification Card. The four cases showed how TFG leaders privatized public
power, institutions and services.
Surprisingly, in the face of the above mentioned subsequent revelations, TFG
leaders never cared to respond satisfactorily to the accusations of rampant
corruption by providing comprehensive detailed explanation of the external
and domestic revenues through institutional responsibilities. To the
contrary, besides sending a letter to the UN Secretary General in which he
designated the Coordinator of SEMG as "Persona non grata in Somalia", the
President accused SEMG for anti-Somali agenda. The Speaker denounced the
accusations as bias and baseless aimed to undermine his high chance for
being elected to the position of President after his past political
performance. The Prime Minister praised the report and accepted the
allegations against him by agreeing to provide documentation only for the $
6 million dollars linked to his name. These split reactions among the three
top TFG leaders reaffirmed the central conclusion of the report consisting
in the absence of TFG collective responsibility and in the lack of adherence
to Public Finance Management rules and practices. Because of the letter,
SEMG recommended sanction against President Sheikh Sharif for the
obstruction of the enforcement of UN Resolutions.
Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF)
Puntland State has refused to cooperate with SEMG which led to the
recommendation of sanction against Puntland Authorities as their act of
refusal constituted a potential obstruction of the work of SEMG.
Nevertheless, the Report discussed in detail the operations of Sterling
Corporate Services (SCS) formerly (Saracen International) which trains,
equips and supervises 1,000 Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) with funds
provided by the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Without proper consultation, the
Office of the Prime Minister authorized SCS to select soldiers from Somali
National Army (SNA) to join PFMP training at their camp in Bosaso. AMISOM
overruled PM's authorization and stopped the selection process.
There are many entities involved in the support of PMPF
<
http://www.diirad.com/maqaallo/3993-semg-report-attests-that-ic-is-an-accom
plice-to-somalias-strife.html#sdfootnote3sym> 3. The report points out that
SCS and other companies are linked to Mr. Lafras Luitigingh, owner of
Saracen International. Recently, Col Oliver North visited Puntland. TFG
received from Saracen International the medical center - Villa Somalia
Emergency Trauma Centre, established in the Presidential compound. The Fund
was paid by UAE.
SEMG argues that PMPF represents a profitable enterprise for relatives and
close associates of Puntland President who directly controls it contrary to
article 94 of Puntland Constitution. Therefore, SEMG considers the external
support of PMPF illegal and breach of UN Security Council Resolutions.
Support to TFG and Puntland Intelligence Services
The report brought to light that the TFG National Security Agency (NSA)
commands 1,500 strong force well equipped and trained that comes under the
direct supervision of the President. The US Government supports NSA and
Puntland Intelligence Services (PIS). Also Sudan supports NSA. SEMG is of
the opinion that the support of NSA and PIS is in violation of UN Security
Council Resolutions.
Violations of Arms Embargo
More than 15 countries and International Organizations are accused of
violations against UN Arms Embargo on Somalia. The presence of Ethiopian
forces in Somalia is considered as a violation of UN Resolutions. Another
violator of UN resolution is the United Nations Mine Action Services (UNMAS)
which has contracted a UK based company, Human Recognition System to conduct
biometric registration including personal details, fingerprints, photograph
and DNA, of Somali National Army (SNA) soldiers, aimed at improving payment
of stipends.
In Summary
The Parliamentary Committee, the PFMU, the World Bank, and SEMG have
graphically presented the pervasive corruption and mismanagement within TFG.
But UNPOS and IGAD backed by IC successfully flouted those accusations and
stuck with their corrupted TFG leaders to implement a divisive Roadmap
process. The Security Council and the IC must re-examine the facts and
problems identified in the SEMG report for course correction and new policy
prescription that will help peace, security and stability in Somalia. The
predatory activities underway in Somalia must be stopped and the focus
should be shifted to State building that delivers State functions throughout
Somalia.
Mr. Mohamud M Uluso
mohamuduluso_at_gmail.com
<
http://www.diirad.com/maqaallo/3993-semg-report-attests-that-ic-is-an-accom
plice-to-somalias-strife.html#sdfootnote1anc> 1 The investigation is
conducted under the World Bank's Somalia's Knowledge for Operations and
Political Economy (SKOPE) program.
<
http://www.diirad.com/maqaallo/3993-semg-report-attests-that-ic-is-an-accom
plice-to-somalias-strife.html#sdfootnote2anc> 2 Prof. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali,
Mohamed Abdullahi Formajo, Omar Abdirashid A. Sharmarke , Prof Ali Mohamed
Ghedi, Abdurahman Mohamed Farole, Abdulkadir Sheikhey Al Hatimi, Gen.
Abdullahi Gafow Mohamud, Gen Mohamed Sheikh Hassan, Gen Mohamed Warsame
Farah Darwish, Sharif Ahmed Ba' Alawi, Abdullahi Omar Botan, Khadijo Osoble,
Abbas Sheikh Mohamed Jim'ale, Yusuf Shiekh Mohamed Jim'ale, Abdikarim Jama.
<
http://www.diirad.com/maqaallo/3993-semg-report-attests-that-ic-is-an-accom
plice-to-somalias-strife.html#sdfootnote3anc> 3 Australian African Global
Investments (South Africa), Australian African Global Investments
(Australia), Chantete Mining Services (Zambia), Afrifin Logistics FZE (UAE),
Logistic Solutions FZC (UAE), AYK Avia Company CJSC (Armenia), Transerv
Limited (Rwanda), Khalid Air (Uganda), New Order Vehicle Sales (South
Africa).
Received on Wed Oct 31 2012 - 21:01:51 EDT
