Transparency International Highlights Somalia’s Ongoing Struggle with Corruption, Ranks it Among World’s Worst
Mogadishu (AX) — In the latest Corruption Perceptions Index published by Transparency International, Somalia finds itself entrenched in a deeply troubling narrative: near the very bottom of the world’s ranks in 2024. This index, which scrutinizes 180 nations for perceived public sector corruption, paints Somalia in stark tones—positioning it at 179th with a dismal score of 9 out of 100, following a concerning decline of two points since the previous year.
Such rankings have almost become an unfortunate expectation for Somalia; an unsavory record it holds with tenacity. Revisiting the archives, from 2007 to 2020, Somalia steadfastly occupied the lowest spot for thirteen consecutive years. In 2022, a short-lived glimmer appeared, as the nation briefly emerged slightly less blemished on the international stage, only to witness another slide backward by 2024.
This grim portrayal underscores the troubling enduring issues—lackluster governance, frail institutions, and entrenched corruption that seem ingrained in the societal fabric of Somalia. Promises of reform echo through the halls of government, yet tangible advancement in quelling bribery, mismanagement, and systemic impunity within its state structure remains conspicuously absent. So what blocks the path forward?
“Corruption is blocking progress towards a sustainable world,” Transparency International poignantly points out. The report elaborates on how institutional corruption doesn’t just stall efforts to combat emissions but also hampers adaptation strategies in the face of inevitable global warming.
Nowhere is the impact of corruption felt more acutely than in the security apparatus, a segment crucial for the nation’s internal peace. Misappropriation of funds earmarked for critical counterterrorism efforts has frequently been spotlighted. Transparency International highlights that corruption in fragile states like Somalia fuels existing instability, thereby complicating security maintenance.
Efforts—such as the creation of the Office of the Auditor General in 2014 and the Public Procurement, Concessions, and Disposal Act—were meant to act as antidotes to corruption. Yet, absence of effective enforcement combined with invasive political manipulation has neutered these initiatives. Anti-corruption steps have often floundered on account of lacking political fortitude, a portion of officials seemingly more inclined to self-preservation over service reform.
Somalia is, sadly, not a solitary case in the harsh landscape of corruption. The abyss stretches, enveloping nations like South Sudan, ranked absolutely lowest as the most corrupt with a CPI score of 8. Close neighbor Sudan dwindles similarly, ensnared in a protracted quagmire of political tumult. Here, corruption and political decay foster state fragility, economic inertia, and repetitive governance failures.
Neighboring Ethiopia and Kenya, although inching forward with better outcomes, still grapple with their own corruption demons in governmental procurement, political machinations, and law enforcement sectors. Ethiopia’s ongoing conflicts have debatably stymied recent strides against corruption, while Kenya’s anti-corruption agencies constantly butt heads with political obstruction.
In Somalia, corruption is like a choking vine, twining through the governmental corridors and spiraling into the economic arenas. With rampant bribery, embezzled donor funds, and brazen fraudulent practices weaving a web that discourages foreign investors, economic growth is significantly stunted. Transparency International’s report emphasizes how these corrupt practices exacerbate climate change repercussions on Somalia’s agriculture-dependent economy, severely impacting food security as a result.
“In Somalia, climate change has wreaked havoc on the country’s agricultural economy and worsened its 30-year-long conflict,” declares Transparency International. When countries like Somalia and South Sudan top the charts for climate vulnerability, they also grapple with exorbitant corruption levels, which gravely limits their capacity to confront environmental calamities.
The question that looms is this: when will change come, and what will it take for it to truly take root?
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring
