Corrupt leadership of Somalia

State of Corruption in Somalia

Somalia is in a state of complete corruption. The government leaders are running a new system of government that they have not had in over two decades are taking money from the country itself, and because Somalia is currently restarting their government after two decades, it is quickly being influenced on surrounding states on how it will be run. It has been over twenty years since Somalia had a stable government after they had just gotten out of a dictatorship. The new government that is being formed is also entirely corrupted they are taking money away from the country that is being given to them by the UN. The UN is giving them this money to help organize the new government, but instead, that money is going towards bribes for votes for positions in the government.

The United Nations is help funding the new campaign for the new president. They have not have had a stable government system in two decades. There is a significant problem as the money given to the people running for positions in the government is instead singing that money for bribes to gain votes from a very select few who actually can vote. “Bribes of between $1,000 - $5,000 (£800; £4,000) have been paid, Gen Nur Farah Jimale said. The BBC has also learned that some candidates have been offering bribes of up to $1.3m (£1m) to secure votes (BBC).”  If the people who keep using the money for bribes rather than helping the country with the new government system the UN will cut the funds. “The president’s a hyena,” said Mohamed Said Mohamed, a fish seller by the crumbled seashore. “These guys are taking bribes of $100,000 when most of us can’t afford a plate of spaghetti (New York Times).” Most of the people who are using the money for bribes cannot afford the money in the first place. This is placing Somalia in a dire situation where they are at risk of losing relations with other countries who supply the money because it’s not going towards its intended use.

Another  Major effect that the corrupt leadership is having on Somalia is that it’s happening in Somalia and the countries surrounding it is that those surrounding nations profoundly influence them because Somalia is currently forming an entirely new government system. “Ethiopian troops hold the Somali towns of Luuq, Baidoa, and Beledweyne which are situated along strategic trade routes and until recently were under al Shabaab’s control (Somalia and its Neighbors).” Since a new entire government system placed in Somalia, this leaves them open to many influenced by the surrounding countries. Also, the homeland security that is being provided it from other neighboring countries, Somalia themselves don’t have their guard because of this since they are in a situation where the safety can be taken back and then be bargained for by the other nations.

In total, Somalia is forming a new government where they are adding additional resources of other countries they may have to be forced to agree to many bargains/treaties to keep those resources from the other countries. Since the other nations can easily influence Somalia, it can lead to more corruption in the government, and how it affects the relations, they have with the UN and surrounding states. There are very high hopes for the new Somali government, but it can lose legitimacy very quickly if it does not stop with the bribes using money that they were given to help them by other Nations. Given the regional and international relations will determine if the new government will succeed to fails in their goals of a new government system.

Gettleman, Jeffrey. “Fueled by Bribes, Somalia's Election Seen as Milestone of Corruption.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 Feb. 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/02/07/world/africa/somalia-election-corruption.html.
“Somalia and Its Neighbours: Balancing Influence and Independence.” Chatham House, www.chathamhouse.org/media/comment/view/191199.
“Somalia Elections: 'Huge Corruption'.” BBC News, BBC, 25 Nov. 2016, www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-38105023.