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Somalia making remarkable progress in fighting corruption – UNSOM head

The passage of the Anti-Corruption Law and debates on relevant bills on open governance currently before parliament are a step towards more transparent management of public resources in Somalia, the UN head James Swan said Monday.

Swan said in a statement to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption that Somalia’s efforts in strengthening rule of law and building accountable transparent institutions was commendable.

Corruption, Swan said was a major obstacle to development, undermining the state-building, peace and reconciliation process in Somalia.

“In this respect, the United Nations is very encouraged by the recent signing into law by President Mohamed Abdullahi ‘Farmaajo’ of the bill on the establishment of the anti-corruption commission and the elaboration of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy,” he added.

“These are commendable steps forward for Somalia.”

International Anti-Corruption Day is observed annually on 9 December with the aim of raising awareness of corruption and the role the Convention plays in combating and preventing it.

A key instrument to sustain, manage and track countries’ fight against corruption is the UN Convention against Corruption, the world’s only legally binding universal anti-corruption instrument, which this year marks its 16th anniversary since entering into force around the globe, said Swan.

The UN chief also cited the passage of the National Audit Bill by the Lower House and the endorsement by both Houses of the Public Management and Companies Acts as testimony of a commitment by Somalia to strengthen governance.

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