Djibouti arrests officials in its latest corruption crackdown

DJIBOUTI - Two top officials are among several people who have been arrested in Djibouti following recommendations by the Director of Prosecution in the office of the Auditor General, after thorough scrutiny on the expenditure for the 2021 budget.

In a statement dated March 6, the Auditor General pointed fingers at the ministry of Budget, which is accused of misappropriation of millions of dollars, adding that the expenses do not conform with the fiscal strategy of the country.

The office said two senior officials; Farah Mohamed Osman, deputy director of materials at the ministry of Budget, and Sahal Said Awaleh, director of the general treasury were arrested after investigations confirmed their participation in the fraudulent deals.

"The report stated that the ministry of the Budget has squandered public funds made available to it to cover state expenses by mobilizing large sums of non-priority money," read the dispatch to the public.

"The arrest of Farah Mohamed Osman, deputy director of materials at the ministry of Budget, and Sahal Said Awaleh, director of the general treasury was followed by the arrest of several frequented traders and many others."

Also arrested were several traders who have been colluding with senior government officials to defraud the public by embezzling money from the national treasury. The decision to arrest those involved was taken after investigations were concluded.

"The investigations confirmed the existence of a fraudulent agreement between certain traders and officials from the said ministry to embezzle funds from the national treasury," the Auditor General noted.

This comes weeks after top officials had been detained on suspicion of a coup plot to oust President Ismail Omar Ghuelleh. The strongman has been in power for over two decades and managed to retain his seat last year in an election that was boycotted by the opposition.

GAROWE ONLINE