Caught in Nepotism: Somalia's Petroleum Minister assigns his daughter a key role within his ministry

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Caught in Nepotism: Somalia's Petroleum Minister assigns his daughter a key role within his ministry

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somalia's Minister of Petroleum, Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed is once again in the mid of controversy as he is caught in nepotism following the appointment of his daughter as a senior officer within the Ministry of Petroleu

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Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed speaking during the virtual roadshow in May 2020.

MOGADISHU (HORN OBSERVER) Somalia's Minister of Petroleum, Abdirashid Mohamed Ahmed is once again in the mid of controversy as he is caught in nepotism following the appointment of his daughter as a senior officer within the Ministry of Petroleum, according to a document leaked to the media.

Mr. Abdirashid who leads a key government ministry and who in various occasions said that he was attempting to develop Somalia’s energy sector to ensure that the regulatory and fiscal framework are highly attractive to international investors, has secretly assigned his daughter Sumaya (Abdirashid) Mohamed as the communications and media officer of his ministry giving her extra powers to manage 'all duties of the Ministry and those of the Somali Petroleum Authority'.

According to the document, this appointment was made on 1st September, 2020 and was communicated to 'all partners and clients' of the Ministry of Petroleum.

A senior ministry employee who spoke to Horn Observer said Sumaya's appointment was meant to conceal oil deals and payment arrangements by Minister Abdirashid.

"This appointment of Sumaya who has no any media background is intended to prevent any possible scandals including concealing illegal deals made by the Minister. This was very vital particularly after Ibrahim Ali Hussein, the new Somali Petroleum Authority vowed to carry out reviews of al previous deals," said one senior ministry employee who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

According to Somali Constitutional Lawyer, Hassan Abdirahman, the code of ethics of the government ministers forbids such kind of appointment as it is not nepotism but it is also illegal.

"A minister can not appoint a relative or his/her family member to a position. The law clearly says recruiting process of government positions should be transparent and should be put in an equal opportunity for all citizens," Mr. Abdirahman says.

-INTERESTS OF ALL SOMALI PEOPLE-

In May this year, Somalia's government has appointed Mr. Hussein to serve as the Somali Petroleum Authority’s (SPA) chairman and CEO.

The Authority comes into existence when the country is commencing its first exploration activities. The Somali Petroleum Law set out the role of the SPA as the government’s regulator.

"It has the aim of acting in the interests of all the Somali people,” the Petroleum Law says.

Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo ratified the law in February this year.

In a statement, Minister Abdirashid said the establishment of the SPA was "one of the first critical milestones of the implementation of the Petroleum Law.

"The ministry and the SPA would work together "to achieve the government’s vision towards the development of oil and gas sector of the country”.