Puntland State orders newly appointed ministers to declare assets

Saturday April 4, 2026

Garowe (AX) — Puntland State’s top auditing office has moved to tighten scrutiny on public officials, ordering all newly appointed ministers, deputy ministers and state ministers to declare their private assets within 30 days of taking office, in line with Article 77 of the Puntland State Constitution.

In a directive released Thursday, Auditor General Osman Mahmoud Ali told the Council of Ministers and other senior officials to comply with the constitutional requirement, which is intended to boost transparency and curb corruption in the regional administration.

The letter said senior public officials are barred from running private businesses while serving in government and must register their assets publicly with the Auditor General’s Office during their first month in office.

“All senior officials must submit their asset declarations within the stipulated period, as mandated by the Puntland State Constitution,” the directive stated, stressing that financial disclosure is essential to preserving integrity in public service.

The Auditor General also said officials leaving office must account for any changes in their financial position. The verification process, grounded in Articles 129 to 134 of the Puntland State Constitution, is meant to uphold good governance, responsible stewardship and safeguards against the embezzlement of public money.

In the statement, the office said the measure is designed to strengthen oversight of institutions and deepen public confidence in Puntland State’s governing structures.

“The Office of the Auditor General will accelerate constitutional accountability mechanisms to reinforce transparency, accountability and confidence in the management of public resources,” it said.

The directive comes after a recent cabinet reshuffle by Puntland State President Said Abdullahi Deni, which brought in new ministers and senior officials across major government institutions. Analysts say the asset declaration rule marks an important step in strengthening anti-corruption checks and encouraging accountable leadership.

Puntland State, founded in 1998 as a federal member state of Somalia, has long aimed to present itself as a benchmark for administrative stability and institutional governance. Enforcing constitutional asset disclosure rules is expected to further support its image of fiscal discipline and transparency.