Mogadishu, Somalia – Auditor General Ahmed Isse Gutale has welcomed a growing commitment by international development partners to channel their support through Somalia’s Country System, a move he said will strengthen oversight, boost accountability, and enhance national ownership of projects.
Speaking on Wednesday, Gutale noted that development financing previously bypassed Somali institutions, limiting the ability of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) to track spending and evaluate results. By aligning with the Country System, donors are now enabling the OAG to audit projects more effectively while also reinforcing Somalia’s ongoing public financial management reforms.
“This is a turning point,” Gutale said, emphasizing that oversight mechanisms will now extend to a larger share of externally funded initiatives.
He added that the shift gives Somalia the opportunity to ensure resources are used transparently and in line with national priorities.
The move is also expected to bolster Somalia’s state-building agenda by ensuring ministries, departments, and agencies have greater control over planning and implementation. Analysts say it reflects growing international confidence in Somalia’s governance structures, following years of donor-led parallel systems.
Somalia has recently undertaken significant reforms, including the adoption of modern financial management laws, digitalization of budget processes, and the rollout of internal audit units across ministries. Officials believe these measures, alongside enhanced cooperation with partners, will reduce duplication, curb misuse of funds, and improve service delivery.
The Auditor General’s office has pledged to work closely with both government institutions and development partners to ensure smooth implementation of the new approach.