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According to documents examined by Somaliland Chronicle, serious allegations of misconduct have emerged in the selection process for a World Bank-funded Project Coordinator position in Somaliland. The ongoing investigation has raised significant concerns about transparency and fairness in the recruitment procedure, potentially fitting into a broader pattern of corruption in internationally funded projects.
Multiple professionals have filed formal complaints with the World Bank regarding the selection committee’s processes and potential conflicts of interest. These individuals, whose identities remain confidential, have highlighted irregularities and possible biases in the recruitment process.
One complainant criticized the qualifications and selection criteria, alleging they were tailored to favor a pre-selected candidate. The complaint specifically mentioned the alleged involvement of high-ranking officials with direct links to the Presidency. According to the complainant, the selection committee failed to adhere to established guidelines, compromising the integrity of the process.
Another professional echoed these concerns, detailing instances where selection committee members appeared to disregard objective qualifications in favor of subjective preferences.
According to sources familiar with World Bank-funded projects in Somaliland, the corruption in this case may extend beyond simply appointing a less qualified candidate. These sources allege that the real aim is to install a compliant Project Coordinator who will have significant influence over the allocation of multimillion-dollar procurement contracts. This arrangement, if true, could allow the appointee to direct lucrative contracts to entities favored by their sponsors, potentially including high-ranking officials.
The same sources point to previous World Bank initiatives in Somaliland, specifically the Strengthening Civil Service and Public Finance Reform projects, which together totaled at least $20 million in funding. Despite their substantial price tags, these earlier projects appear to have had limited impact on improving Somaliland’s governance and financial management systems, primarily due to corruption within the implementation process.
The World Bank has acknowledged receipt of the complaints regarding the current project and initiated a review to ensure the recruitment process aligns with their standards of transparency and fairness.
The contested position is a key role in the World Bank-funded Somalia Enhancing Public Resource Management Project, aimed at improving public resource management and strengthening institutional capacities in Somaliland.
The selection committee, responsible for evaluating candidates, includes key figures from the Ministry of Finance and other governmental bodies. Concerns about conflicts of interest have been amplified by allegations of undue influence from high-ranking officials.
In response to these concerns, Dr. Saad Ali Shire, Minister of Finance Development, provided the following statement to Somaliland Chronicle:
“The World Bank has a set procedure for recruitment. And the World Bank gives a no-objection consent every step of the way. You cannot proceed unless No-objection is obtained. In this case, there have been complaints and accusations shared with the World Bank. The World Bank has a system for dealing with complaints and that has been followed. At one point, they hired a Norwegian firm to participate in the process. Finally, a candidate was selected. This was shared with the World Bank which gave a no-objection verdict.”
Dr. Shire emphasized the integrity of the selection process, adding, “The process was handled by a panel of seven senior officers from different stakeholder institutions chaired by my Deputy Minister. If the successful candidate is not up to the job, then the necessary steps will be taken to deal with that.“
However, despite Dr. Saad Ali Shire’s earlier assurances of adhering strictly to World Bank procedures, new evidence has come to light that directly contradicts the Minister of Finance Development’s claims. A document examined by Somaliland Chronicle, dated 27/07/2023, reveals that Dr. Shire attempted to bypass the established recruitment process by unilaterally nominating an entire project team for the SERP (Somaliland Economic Recovery Program) initiative. This official letter from the Ministry of Finance Development lists nominations for key positions including the SERP PIU Coordinator, the very position the Ministry is now recruiting and for which almost every candidate who has applied is complaining of a rigged process, while the Minister claims adherence to World Bank procedures.
Sources close to the matter indicate that this premature team selection was promptly rejected by the World Bank, which insisted the Ministry adhere to proper hiring guidelines. This revelation starkly contrasts with Dr. Shire’s previous statement that “The World Bank has a set procedure for recruitment… You cannot proceed unless No-objection is obtained.” The Minister’s actions in attempting to appoint a full team without following due process, particularly for the contested SERP PIU Coordinator position, raise serious questions about the transparency of the selection process and lend credence to the widespread allegations of potential misconduct in staffing this multimillion-dollar project.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, a recent letter from the World Bank informed the Ministry of Finance Development of a change in the Task Team Leader for the Enhancing Public Resource Management Project. Ms. May Olalia, Senior Public Sector Specialist, has been designated as the new Task Team Leader, replacing Ms. Rafika Chaouali.
This controversy is set against the broader context of Somaliland’s unique position in relation to World Bank-funded projects. Generally, these projects are awarded to the Federal Government of Somalia, with Somaliland considered an implementing partner, much like other Federal Member States such as Puntland. This arrangement underscores a dichotomy in Somaliland’s pursuit of independence. While striving for international recognition, Somaliland’s acceptance of funding under the auspices of Somalia suggests a willingness to operate as a de facto member state when beneficial. This duality can be perceived as an impediment to Somaliland’s independence aspirations, signaling to the international community that Somaliland, while asserting its autonomy, is content to receive funding akin to any other member state.
In practice, Somaliland often attempts to assert its distinct identity by renaming these projects, replacing “Somalia” with “Somaliland” at launch ceremonies. However, this symbolic gesture does little to address the underlying issues. Critics argue that these projects, despite their stated aims, have failed to significantly advance Somaliland’s development. Instead, there are concerns that they primarily serve to enrich a small circle of corrupt officials, funding lavish lifestyles while leaving the broader population’s needs unmet. This situation is further complicated by dealings with foreign ambassadors sent to Somalia, who often engage with Somaliland under the framework of Somalia’s federal structure, further blurring the line between Somaliland and Somalia and potentially giving the impression that independence may not be a serious pursuit.
Organized corruption involves multiple actors working together to defraud the public long-term by creating a deeply rooted cartel that grows more powerful with each iteration. In Brazil, the Petrobras scandal revealed top executives colluding with politicians and construction firms to inflate contracts and siphon off billions. Nigeria’s fuel subsidy scam saw government officials and businesspeople fabricating fuel import documents to claim subsidies for non-existent deliveries, costing the country billions. In Somaliland, while the scale may be smaller, the sophistication of institutionalized corruption is comparable. Officials and their associates have created entrenched systems to exploit public resources for personal gain. Each generation of corrupt actors builds upon the previous one, enhancing their methods and tightening their grip on public funds. In Somaliland, the bucket may be smaller than Petrobras or Nigeria’s fuel subsidy scam, but the institutionalized corruption is just as sophisticated and likely to worsen with each generation.
Only Minister Shire responded to requests for comments. World Bank officials and all others in the Selection Committee did not respond, leaving it unclear whether the World Bank has given its no-objection greenlight to proceed with filling the position or if the complaints have triggered a closer look at the hiring process.
Somaliland Chronicle will continue to monitor this situation closely, urging all involved parties to ensure a fair and transparent resolution. The outcomes of the World Bank’s review and subsequent actions by the Ministry of Finance will be crucial in determining the future trajectory of this essential project and potentially the broader landscape of international aid in Somaliland.