Several weeks ago, I attended a briefing in Nairobi about a recent review of the now-infamous ‘Fartaag Report’ – a 2011 report that alleged corruption and misappropriation within the TFG on a significant scale during 2009-2010.
The review provided – as far as possible – an investigation into the veracity of the charges within the Fartaag Report. Its findings made for sobering reading: millions are allegedly being lost from the Somali public purse. To put it another way, if Somalia wasn’t losing this money, it could afford to help pay for its security, reconstruction and the salaries of its own employees. If the TFG were able to tackle the alleged corruption, it could help finance the core business of government. And that, after 20 years of conflict, would be a pretty significant start.
So, it’s against this back-drop that the UK, together with an number of other international partners, is trying to reinforce Somalia’s financial management capability by helping to establish a new facility called the ‘Joint Financial Management Board’.
This facility, which would include the Somali government, the UK and a number of others, is designed with one simple purpose in mind – to strengthen the Somali government’s control of the resources it should have at its disposal. In short, it’s about giving the Somali government the ability to spend its money on its priorities for its people. It’s also about strengthening the levels of mutual confidence between the international community and the Somali government about how all resources are provided to Somalia.
Why does this matter? Because, as security expands, thanks to the outstanding work of AMISOM and the TFG, it’s necessary to ensure that the Somali government has the necessary means at its disposal to sustain that security and strengthen that inalienable contract between state and citizen: the safety of its population.
The ‘JFMB’ will provide a facility whereby the Somali government and its partners, such as the UK, can demonstrate that the money it is receiving from a variety of sources is being put to public use – transparently and accountably. In particular, that the resources are being used on those things that we all take – or should take – for granted from any government: paying the salaries of public sector workers; paying the salaries of security forces; protecting people.
As transparency improves, the government will also be able to build the confidence of the international community and show that the days of the Fartaag report are now behind and that state institutions like the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance are ready for further support. The sort of support that many of us, including the UK, want to provide. It’s a win-win.
So the JFMB is about underpinning progress. More than that, it’s also a necessary first step to securing long-term finance for the reconstruction and development of Somalia. It’s about renewing trust and building confidence and allaying the concerns of corruption and mis-appropriation. And fundamentally, it’s about enabling the Somali government to continue to fulfil that most essential of responsibilities: protecting its citizens.
What could be important – or more empowering – than that?
Dear Mr Ambassador and my fellow Somalis;
First let me thank to the United Kingdom and its distinguished ambassador Mr Matt Bough with the tireless efforts and unwavering support for the Somali People.
Brief introduction: I am working with the technical group that is preparing the Joint Financial Management Board (JFMB).
I assure you that the TFG is (was) willing to sign and implement the JFMB in order to create peace, stability, transparency, and accountability in Somalia however there are the following stipulations that the JFMB required to address:
1.Considering the fact that over 90% of the external assistance to Somalia is currently channelled through Non-TFG actors, mutual accountability, and transparency should cover both International Community aid and donations to Somalia as well as internal revenue from indigenous sources.
2.The Terms of References of the JFMB must be clear so as to avoid confusion.
3.The functions of the JFMB should not duplicate the sovereign functions of the organs of the Somali Government’s Financial Institutions, such as Ministry of Finance, The accounting General, The auditor General and the Central Bank of Somalia, but instead should be complimentary and capacity building for eventual self-sufficiency and institutional development in order to continue the good work after the expiration of the JFMB mandate unless its intention is to stay forever.
4.And above all The JFMB must respect the sovereignty of the country
The Transitional Government is about to end however the Post Transition Government must sign the JFMB.
Thank you all
M Amir
if the readings of those recently published reports on state of corruption among the TFG leadership is anything to go by it only shows yet again the shameless behaviour of those so called ‘leaders’ and this can only improve and/or get corrected when we Somalis get our act together and stand up for our country by establishing a properly working system of government with strong functioning institutions led by credible and morally upright Somali professionals, managers and leaders committed to our cause: a better Somalia! No one else could and would do it for us.
Mr. Ambassador,
Can anyone guarantee that FMJB will be fully transparent?. Who will control FMJB?. Can Security Council, or will Security Council bring the corrupted Somali politicians before court of law?.
Ambassdor Baugh
What Farataag Report revealed is a tip of somalia’s sand dunes!
The corruption is systemic, not only in the TFG, but the International community’s (US/EU) agents/tools are corrupt as well.
Please, Mr. Ambassdor, tell the Somali people what accountability is in place for the dozens of Nairobi-based NGOs who collects million dollars in the name of helping the straving displaced and marginalized Somalis??
It is common knowledge that these brats live in luxury villas in Nairobi rarely ventrue into Somalia and yet collect hardship allowance.
The proposed ‘Joint Financial Management Board’ should make both the TFG or their successors as well as UNPOS, AMISOM, NGOs accountable.
Kucadaye
Hi Mr. Baugh
Although i do not doubt you and your goverments sincerity, i hope you know that the TFG is the most useless “goverment” in the 21st century. Please speak with your goverment and make sure that
The current president and current parliament speaker do NOT return after august, heck the WHOLE structure must be done with.
If these useless thieves return in august, it WILL give al shabab more support in Somalia, because the system would be ineffective and the islamist propaganda would resonate much with the poor people in the country and those in the diaspora.
Al qaeda MUST NOT be entertained and proven right, by keeping sharif and his cronies in charge.
Thank you
PS. it must be very hard to be an ambassador for Somalia, so i wish you the very best since i love the UK.
I am delighted to see the role of UK Government in the Somalia affairs, which is paramount for building sustabile peace in Somalia as well as creating a responsible and accountable Government.
The creation of JFMB is a preliant idea, because the Somali people are fed up with selfish and corrupt leaders who but their interest first.
Indeed, the over rall majority of Somali Soceity see the British Goverment involvement in Somali affairs as positive factor. This is because the British Government has shown its moral responsibility to help the Somali people by finding sustainable solution for Somali problems caused by its selfish and ruthless leaders and exploited by its neighbours, who is indirectly against building responsible and accountable Government for Somalia. Thanks for the British support, the Somali leaders are willing to talk each other, and with the help of EU, Norway and outstanding efforts of British Government Somalia will be back to the International Communities.
I completely agree with the UK ambassador. Althought I have not read fartaag report, which I will, the widespread corruption of somali offocials is something the new-will be government officials should tackle head on. It is also un-islamic to divert funds intended for development for the good ofall society to one’s own bank account and benefit. It is also good to remind the officials of NGOs and. the UN of waste of. Funds intended for humanatarian and deveopment purposes. If we all somalis and our international partners in peace building work together honestly, I believe we can succeed. It is important to build the institutional infrastructures and systems of government. We somalis should concentrate on building those institutional government infrastructure and end the personal fueds within government officials and tribes. The only way to succeed is honest and hard work. I personally warn those that want to get involved in this peace building process for thier own gains, they will fail.
I conclude my comments by thanking UK Ambassdor to somalia and. All other internationals countries like Turkey for thier effort in somali peace. building.
Something to be what we call as “Hal Bacaad Lagu Lisay” apparently reminds going on. A lot of explanation is not needed to comprehend the fact. Look, creating Finance Observatory Team makes nothing today.
Indeed, couldn’t agree with you more Mr.Ambassador and I would really like to express my utmost appreciation in your concern and constant effort on Somali issues.
However, the Fartaag report and other financial revealing reports mainly centered on the alarming rate of corruption within the TFG. Of course the findings are not questionable and warrant a reverse action – hence the establishing of a JFMB would be a step towards resolving epidemic corruption.
Forgive me for asking, Mr. Ambassador, would JFMB also monitor and manage the finances of other entities – such as the UNPOS and related agencies who procure funds for Somalia and independently manage their finances and how it should be spend.
Thank you
YESTERDAY 11 July, THE IGAD COUNCIL OF MINISTERS Expressed concern on the possible proliferation of reports on Somalia and
called upon all entities to hold in abeyance any action/ report/meeting or utterances until the finalization of the current political process.
Do you think Mr Ambassador that IGAD are protecting those who looted public funds???
We can’t get back the stolen funds but we can we make sure that those funds are NOT used by the two Sharifs to corrupt the Elder’s Gathering in Mogadishu in order to return to power to steal more internationally donated cash.
It’s time to head hunt the next leader for this socially fragmented and politically chaotic country. And your only hope is among the estimated one million Somali Diaspora communities – mainly in Western Europe and North America.