Auditor General Details Burao Scandals, Warns Against Preempting the Judiciary
- Gallaydh News Desk
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
In a highly anticipated press conference broadcasted jointly by Gallaydh TV and KF Media, a senior official from Somaliland’s Office of the Auditor General provided critical updates on the corruption scandals that have recently shaken government institutions in the Togdheer region.
The primary objective of the briefing was to clarify the constitutional role of the Auditor General's office and to dispel a wave of misinformation circulating on social media regarding ongoing corruption probes within the Burao Local Government.
Action Taken on Public Land Theft and a Historic Confession
The official detailed a high-profile case involving the embezzlement of public land by municipal officials in Burao. He confirmed that the office had concluded a comprehensive, in-depth investigation into the procedures surrounding the sale, zoning, and management of government land, particularly plots designated for public services.
"The investigative work on our end is complete. Upon gathering sufficient evidence, we forwarded the charges and the case file to the Togdheer Regional Attorney General's Office. The case is now before the prosecutors and the competent court, and we await their ruling," the official stated.
He firmly denied rumors suggesting the Auditor General had dropped the case or cleared the suspects of wrongdoing.
Furthermore, he revealed a major breakthrough in the case. The official disclosed that on February 28, 2026, the Executive Secretary of the Burao District sent an official letter to the Auditor General, confessing and confirming that the embezzled public land in question had been returned to the state. This historic pre-trial confession underscores the overwhelming weight of the evidence presented by the audit office.
The List of Accused Officials Includes:
Amin Abdullahi Yasin (Executive Secretary, Burao Local Government)
Diriye Sugal Roble (Head of Land Zoning)
Abdullahi Muse Mohamed (Accountant, Burao Local Government)
Mohamed Haji Muse Shire (Surveyor)
Farah Muse Said (Surveyor)
Abdulaziz Jama Ismail (Head of Purchasing, Burao Local Government)
Mohamed Ali Hirsi (Surveyor)
Responding to the Togdheer Governor & Institutional Independence
Journalists questioned the official regarding recent remarks made by the Governor of the Togdheer Region, Mr. Ramah, who publicly claimed that the recently arrested individuals had been cleared of corruption charges by the Auditor General.
The official delivered a legally grounded response: "We saw what you saw." He clarified that the Office of the Auditor General is not a judicial body empowered to determine guilt or innocence; its mandate is strictly to investigate and forward the facts to the judiciary.
"As stipulated in Article 61 of the Auditor General's Act, only our office has the authority to report the findings of our investigations. No other official has the right to speak on this matter. We are an institution of accountability, and we hold individuals accountable through the legal system," he declared.
He added that preempting the decisions of the court and the prosecution is a severe legal violation, urging all parties to respect the independence of the justice system.
The Ongoing Investigation into Looted Drought Relief Food
The second major scandal that has outraged the Togdheer region involves the confirmed looting of national reserve food supplies, which were specifically intended to rescue vulnerable families devastated by the ongoing drought.
When asked about another claim by Governor Ramah, who stated that only a "small amount" of food was stolen and suggested that the local community should foot the bill to replace it, the official refused to preempt the facts.
"The Office of the Auditor General is actively conducting an investigation, and we do not preempt ongoing probes. In truth, we cannot confirm right now whether the stolen amount was small or large. The investigation is underway. Once it concludes, the findings will be shared with the Attorney General and all relevant parties," the official stated.
This cautious approach indicates the office is unwilling to downplay the severity of the crime until the final data is verified.
The Legal Powers of the Auditor General
In the press conference, the official also outlined the statutory powers and the types of investigations his office is authorized to conduct to combat corruption, specifically citing Law No. 76 and Law No. 38.
He highlighted that the office executes four distinct types of audits:
Financial Auditing: Verifying government financial records and accounts.
Compliance Auditing: Ensuring that institutions adhere to established national laws and regulations.
Forensic Auditing: Conducting deep-dive investigations into suspected financial crimes, theft, or treason to gather evidence for the courts.
Performance Auditing: Evaluating the efficiency and quality of services provided by government agencies.
The official reassured the public that charges related to the theft of public wealth are firmly rooted in Law 38. He affirmed the office's unwavering commitment to bringing anyone who violates the public trust to justice, while strictly safeguarding the independence of the judicial branch.
Watch the Full Press Conference and Media Q&A
For the complete context and to watch the senior official's direct legal responses to the tough questions posed by Gallaydh TV and KF Media reporters, please view the full press conference below.
This video provides an unfiltered look at the details shared with the public, the discourse between the authorities and the press, and the reaffirmation that the rule of law is the only path to justice, transparency, and genuine accountability.
