Friday July 7, 2023
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali Minister of Finance, Dr. Elmi Mohamud Nur, suspended Mohamed Abdirahman Anas, the Accountant General of the Ministry of Finance. Abdirizakh Mohamed Abukar has been appointed temporarily to fill the position.
According to a decree issued by the Office of the Minister of Finance on Thursday, the Accountant General faces several accusations. These include engaging in behavior and actions that go against the national interest, as well as the system and administration of the Ministry.
The specific allegations include intentionally delaying timely payments, blocking salary disbursements to employees and government officials without justification, disabling the SFMIS system in the Tax Department, thereby preventing other tax officials from accessing it and bringing the department's activities to a halt. The Accountant General is also accused of taking a holiday abroad without informing anyone.
The decree also suspended the Director General of Revenue of the Ministry of Finance, who openly defied an order issued by the Minister of Finance and halted ongoing revenue operations.
However, the Accountant and the director did not comment on the Minister's accusation.
These developments follow Tuesday's disclosure by the Attorney General, Sulayman Mohamed Mohamoud, who revealed the identities of 18 high-ranking Somali officials. This list includes both former and current directors of the Immigration Agency, all of whom are wanted in connection with a significant corruption investigation. The officials have been charged with crimes related to $21 million reportedly missing from government coffers during a period of financial hardship for the country.