Overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Somalia

Query

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Purpose

This input will be used for planning future development cooperation activities in Somalia.

Content

1. Overview of corruption in Somalia
2. Anti-corruption efforts in Somalia
3. References

Caveat

There are very limited public sources of information available on the state of corruption and anti-corruption in Somalia. In the absence of in-country contact, it was also not possible to identify key anti-corruption actors.

Summary

As one of the longest instances of state collapse in recent years, Somalia faces many of the major corruption challenges that affect conflict-torn countries, with rampant corruption and a deeply entrenched patronage system undermining the legitimacy of the internationally recognised Transition Federal Government (TFG). Corruption is further exacerbated by the absence of a functional central government, a lack of resources and administrative capacity, weak leadership structures as well as a limited ability to pay public officials.

Both petty and grand forms of corruption are prevalent in Somalia, permeating key sectors of the economy such as ports and airports, tax and custom collection, immigration, telecommunication and management of aid resources. According to a recent audit report by the Prime Minister’s office, corruption manifests itself through various practices, including gross public financial mismanagement, large scale misappropriation of public and donor funds, unethical and professional negligence, and concealment of actual resource flows.

Against this background, the TFG has a poor record of confronting corruption due to its weak administrative set up, lack of resources and capacity and wavering political will. President Sharif’s early pledge to address corruption, clean politics and promote good governance in public administration has failed to translate in an articulated strategy so far.

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