Somalia Audit Office Joins Global Anti-Corruption, Money Laundering Group

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The Office of the Auditor General has joined an international working group focused on combating corruption and money laundering, giving the country a new platform to strengthen public-sector auditing and align its practices with international standards.

Somalia’s membership in the INTOSAI Working Group on the Fight Against Corruption and Money Laundering was confirmed during the group’s 19th meeting in Arusha, Tanzania, held from Aug. 18 to 20.

The working group operates under the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), the global body representing national public audit institutions. Somalia was represented at the meeting by its Director of Compliance Audit, who welcomed the admission.

The group develops professional guidance for auditors, provides training and facilitates cooperation among national audit institutions on issues including corruption, fraud and money laundering.

The Arusha meeting focused on beneficial ownership transparency, public procurement and contracting, and the management of corruption, fraud and money-laundering risks — areas that are particularly important as Somalia works to strengthen oversight of public finances.

Membership will give Somali auditors greater access to international audit practices, technical expertise and cooperation with other national audit institutions.

The move also comes as Somali government institutions increasingly engage with regional and international bodies whose standards are shaping the country’s economic and governance systems.

For Somalia’s audit institution, the significance of the membership extends beyond participation in an international forum. It provides an opportunity for Somali auditors to contribute to and learn from the development of standards used to scrutinise public spending, procurement and the ownership of companies involved in government business.

The development comes as Somalia continues broader efforts to strengthen public financial management, accountability and institutional capacity as part of its state-building and economic reform agenda.