The Puntland Auditor General’s Office has instructed all newly appointed ministers, deputy ministers, and state ministers to declare their personal assets within one month of taking office, as required by Article 77 of the Puntland Constitution.
In a directive released on Thursday, Auditor General Osman Mahmoud Ali directed the Council of Ministers and other high-ranking officials to adhere to the constitutional provision designed to enhance transparency and combat corruption in the regional administration.
The correspondence stressed that high-level public officials are barred from conducting private business during their tenure and must officially register their assets with the Auditor General’s Office within their initial month in government.
All senior officials must submit their asset declarations within the specified timeframe, as required by the Puntland Constitution,” the directive noted, highlighting the significance of financial disclosure for maintaining integrity in public service.
The Auditor General also cautioned that departing officials must declare any modifications to their financial situation. The verification process, guided by Articles 129 to 134 of the Puntland Constitution, aims to uphold principles of sound governance, accountability, and deterrence of public fund misappropriation.
According to the announcement, the initiative seeks to reinforce institutional supervision and increase public confidence in Puntland’s governance frameworks.
The Office of the Auditor General will expedite constitutional accountability measures to strengthen transparency, responsibility, and trust in public resource administration,” it stated.
The directive comes after a recent cabinet reorganization by Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, which brought in new ministers and senior officials throughout major government bodies. Observers consider the asset declaration mandate as a vital measure for enhancing anti-corruption protections and fostering ethical leadership.
Puntland, created in 1998 as a federal entity within Somalia, has consistently endeavored to establish itself as a model of administrative stability and institutional governance. The implementation of constitutional asset disclosure requirements is projected to enhance its standing for financial discipline and openness.