Somali PM suspends minister over scam charges

Hiiraan Online
Wednesday October 17, 2018

MOGADISHU (HOL) – Somali prime minister has suspended one his cabinet ministers after he was allegedly implicated in a fraud scheme involving the manufacturing of counterfeit US currency.

Prime minister Hassan Ali Khaire said Wednesday that Mohamed Khalif Diriye, the deputy Trade and Industry Minister should step aside following recommendations by the attorney general who is reportedly leading investigations into allegations that the minister in question was involved in counterfeit currency manufacturing scam.

“Therefore, this letter, effective of 17 Oct. 2018 hereby suspends the deputy minister of Trade and Industry.” The prime minister said in the letter broadcast by the state television.

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No reason has been given for the minister’s suspension. However, it comes amid ongoing investigations by Somalia’s attorney general which officials say is looking into allegations linking the suspended minister to a fraud scheme involving manufacturing of fake US currency

In recent months, Somali government which says it was determined to fight corruption which it says represents a major threat to the country’s stability in a bid to improve the functions of its institutions arrested several high-ranking officials over corruption cases.

The development follows calls by the international community which channelled hundreds of millions of dollars through successive Somali governments and complained that systematic misappropriation, embezzlement and outright theft of public resources by officials have essentially become a system of governance in Somalia, prompting the government to act.

Somalia which had long topped the world’s most corrupt states index by international watchdogs is recovering from decades of war which devastated its economic infrastructures.

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