Wednesday September 25, 2024
Somalia’s Auditor General Ahmed Issa Gutale (center, red tie) pictured with fellow delegates during a meeting with the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) on collaborative efforts to enhance public financial oversight and governance reforms.
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia's Auditor General Ahmed Issa Gutale has secured renewed international backing from Norway and global audit institutions to bolster the country's financial oversight.
The 'Peer Support Project,' a partnership between Somalia and global audit bodies like INTOSAI and AFROSAI-E, is aimed at improving the country's financial oversight. Set to run through 2024, the project aims to strengthen governance by ensuring more effective audits and transparency in public finances. Both parties discussed extending the program beyond its current timeline to address Somalia's growing governance challenges. Gutale said the move is crucial for Somalia's governance reforms as it seeks to stabilize its institutions and join the East African Community.
In meetings with officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NORAD, Gutale discussed capacity-building programs aimed at improving resource management and enhancing transparency. Norway's assistance is key to ensuring that Somalia can develop more robust institutional frameworks.
Gutale also secured continued support from Norway's Permanent Committee on Justice and Constitutional Affairs, which pledged to help Somalia strengthen its parliamentary oversight. This backing is crucial for ensuring long-term accountability in Somalia's governance systems. He praised Norway's role in shaping effective oversight mechanisms, which are vital to maintaining transparency.
Somalia's international partnerships are vital to its broader goal of strengthening its regional and global standing. As the country pushes for membership in the East African Community (EAC), its governance and financial reforms are essential for attracting investment and fostering deeper regional integration. With economic growth on the horizon, Somalia's collaboration with Norway and other international partners is key to ensuring long-term development.