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Somaliland Finance Minister Says Appointment of Authorized Accountants Is Mandatory Under Law
HARGEISA (Horn Post) Minister of Finance and Economic Development of the Republic of Somaliland HE Abdillahi Hassan Aden, has defended the recent appointment of authorized accountants to revenue-generating public institutions, stating that the move is a legal requirement mandated by national financial management law.
Speaking publicly for the first time on the issue, the minister said the appointments were carried out in accordance with Somaliland’s Public Financial Management Law, Law No. 75/2016, which he stressed must be fully implemented by all state institutions.
“The appointment of a Certified Public Accountant is a government law, and no one is being asked to do his work if they refuse” the minister said, emphasizing that the appointment of authorized accountants is not optional but a statutory obligation under Somaliland law.
Minister Abdillahi explained that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is constitutionally mandated to safeguard public assets and ensure compliance with the approved national budget, including revenue oversight across central government institutions, autonomous agencies, and state-owned revenue-generating bodies.
“As is well known, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is responsible for protecting public assets. Every year, we prepare the national budget covering the central government, revenue-generating institutions, and independent public agencies owned by the state,” he said.
Minister Abdillahi added that once the budget framework is approved by the Council of Ministers and endorsed by the House of Representatives, the Auditor General is legally tasked with verifying whether revenues generated by both independent agencies and other public institutions are properly accounted for.
The finance minister Abdilahi strongly rejected claims by some of the Directors of independent public agencies, who had described the appointment of an authorized accountant as unlawful.
Minister Abdillahi said such assertions contradict existing legislation and constitutional provisions.
“The appointment of a certified accountant is a government law, it is not controversial, and it is ongoing. No one can deny the law and the constitution of the country” the minister said.
Minister of Finance and Economic Development of the Republic of Somaliland HE Abdillahi Hassan Aden further stressed that the process is neither arbitrary nor politically motivated but explicitly grounded in law passed by Somaliland’s legislature.
“This is not something invented by individuals. It is clearly stipulated in the Public Financial Management Law approved by the House of Representatives. Anything outside the law is excluded from the Ministry of Finance, the Office of the Auditor General, and the government as a whole,” he added.
The minister’s remarks follow the Auditor General’s appointment last week of authorized accountants to several revenue-generating and service-delivery agencies across Somaliland.
The move triggered objections from one of agency heads, who publicly opposed the appointment of an authorized accountant tasked with influencing and overseeing financial management decisions within the agency.
Government officials say the appointments are intended to strengthen transparency, accountability, and compliance with national financial regulations across public institutions.
Prepared by:
Horn post staff reporter
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