MOGADISHU — The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has responded to findings by the Office of the Auditor General regarding the appointment and deployment of diplomats and ministry staff to overseas missions, clarifying that all personnel assigned to embassies and consulates are career officials of the Ministry.
The Minister’s statement comes after the Auditor General’s annual compliance audit report for 2025 raised concerns about the Ministry’s adherence to established procedures for diplomatic appointments. The audit found that 14 diplomats were deployed abroad without completing all required conditions, and 19 employees were assigned to diplomatic missions without first undergoing mandatory diplomatic training.
The Auditor General’s 2025 Annual Compliance Audit Report uncovered $18.5 million in irregular procurement, with 59 percent of audited government agencies failing to comply with legal procurement procedures. The report also highlighted weaknesses in government asset management and human resource policies across 22 government agencies.
In his response, the Minister stated that all diplomats Somalia has sent to its embassies and consulates are staff members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and rejected suggestions that the Ministry had deployed individuals who were not previously part of its personnel structure.
The Minister also confirmed that the Ministry is currently in discussions with the Auditor General’s Office to clarify the points of disagreement and address any discrepancies identified in the audit report.
The Auditor General has also flagged $32 million in unverified port and airport revenues, as Turkish firms running Mogadishu’s port and airport have not presented audited financial statements as required by their concession agreements. This has left auditors unable to confirm the accuracy of reported concession fees.
Audit Findings and Diplomatic Procedures
The audit report’s findings on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were part of a broader assessment of government compliance with laws, regulations, and procedures. The report noted deficiencies in records management, incomplete filing of procurement information, and challenges in contract management and oversight across multiple government sections.
Specifically, the audit found that 14 diplomats were deployed abroad without meeting the required conditions, and 19 employees were assigned to diplomatic missions without receiving the mandatory diplomatic training necessary for their roles. The Auditor General recommended that the Ministry strengthen its human resource procedures, ensure adequate training for diplomatic staff before deployment, and improve the management and oversight of diplomatic appointments.
The Minister’s response emphasised that all deployed personnel are career diplomats from within the Ministry, and that the Ministry is working to resolve the audit findings through dialogue with the Auditor General’s Office.
Critical Note
While the Minister’s response to the audit findings is a necessary step toward addressing governance concerns, the broader issues raised by the Auditor General’s report highlight systemic weaknesses in Somalia’s public financial management and human resource systems. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs must demonstrate that it is taking concrete steps to address the audit’s recommendations, including improving staff training, strengthening appointment procedures, and ensuring that all deployments comply with established regulations.
The Auditor General’s findings on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are part of a pattern of compliance gaps across government institutions. The Ministry’s cooperation with the Auditor General’s Office is welcome, but it must be accompanied by genuine reforms that ensure the professionalism and accountability of Somalia’s diplomatic service. Without such reforms, the country’s ability to effectively represent its interests abroad and manage its international relations will remain compromised.
