An expose by VOA Somali on anomalies in a deal between the Ministry of Defence and Dubai headquartered SKA International group has led to the government nullifying the agreement and putting the Somalia National Army and former Defence Minister Mohamed Mursal on the spot.
A statement sent to newsrooms by the acting Information Minister Abdirahman Iran Yonis said the procurement process was not followed.
“On 25 th April 2018 the Federal Government of Somalia clarifies that the agreement reported in the media with SKA International Group did not comply with the processes laid out by in which the Ministry of Finance” Yonis said in a statement dated 25 April.
“The minister of Finance Abdirahman Duale Bayle has clarified that agreements signed with a private organization without following the proper procedures of the state government is null and void” Yonis said.
Somalia government has launched investigation to find out why the agreement was signed without going through the procurement process.
The then Minister of Defence Mohamed Mursal and Army Chief Gen Abdiweli Jama Gorod had signed an agreement with the UAE private company to provide logistics.
Mursal resigned as Defence Minister on Tuesday to set his eyes on the Speaker position which went vacant after the resignation of Mohamed Osman Jawari.
With Abu Dhabi and Mogadishu currently in a diplomatic spat there had been concern that the contact would undermine Somalia National Army.
Government critics have raised tough questions over the shady deal.
“Mr President where is the reform if there is is illegal logistical contracts, rival forces from the army fight each other in the capital, stolen weapons sold on open market, Alshabaab attacks AU base in Afgoye and Balád and Uganda Chief of Defence Forces says we are stuck in Somalia” Wadajir Party leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame tweeted.
Ironically President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo has made the Defence Ministry his temporary office in the last four months.
