Wednesday 6th March, Mogadishu: The Office of the Auditor General of Somalia (OAGS) convened its annual Development Partners Meeting on March 6th, 2024. This crucial gathering, held both virtually and at the OAGS Offices, served as a platform to engage with external partners, providing updates on achievements and challenges of the previous year (2023), while outlining a roadmap for expected activities in 2024.
Chaired by H.E. Ahmed Isse Gutale, the Auditor General of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the meeting saw the participation of high-level OAGS staff and representatives from peers and development partners, including INTOSAI Development Initiative (IDI), African Organization of English Speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E), Royal Norwegian Embassy, European Union, World Bank, Adam Smith International, USAID, the African Professionalization Initiative (API) and various U.N. agencies. Peers from Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) such as the Swedish National Audit Office (SNAO), Malawi National Audit Office, OAG Uganda, and the Turkish Court of Accounts were also present.
The meeting served a dual purpose:
– Sharing activities conducted in the previous year (2023), focusing on achievements, challenges, and recommendations
– Providing an in-depth look into planned activities in the audit field and other OAGS functions for the year 2024.
In his opening remarks, the AG expressed appreciation for the relationship the Office enjoys with its peers and partners. He emphasized the importance of nurturing this relationship to enhance the OAGS’s audit standards in alignment with local laws and international standards for the benefit of the Somali people.
The program, as outlined by AG Gutale, covered these essential topics:
Highlights of the Annual Performance Report (2023) and 2024 Annual Operational Plan:
Deputy Auditor General (DAG) Mukhtar Abukar presented the highlights of the Annual Performance Report for 2023 and the 2024 Annual Operational Plan. His presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the OAGS’s performance, achievements, and challenges from the previous year, as well as insights into the upcoming operational activities for 2024, outlining their objectives and expected outcomes. The OAGS Strategic Plan (2023-2027) was also covered, with a focus on goals, outputs, outcomes and contributions to impact.
Annual Overall Audit Plan (AOAP) Overview: Delving into planned audits for the 2024 financial year, this section aimed to inform development partners about the OAGS’s audit strategy, creating room for engaged collaborations.
Peer-Support Project Review: Mr. Muhammad Wahyudi, the IDI Project Manager for Somalia, discussed the highlights of the Peer-Support Project in 2023 and outlined areas of support for 2024. This project, a collaboration between OAGS, IDI, and AFROSAI-E, provides tailored technical and financial assistance to the OAGS.
Overview of the Federal Audit Law and its Implementation Status: This pivotal legislation serves as the cornerstone of the Office’s operations, providing a robust legal framework for its mandate. Delving into its provisions and progress in implementation, the session underscored the significance of the Federal Audit Law (Law no.14) in guiding the Office’s functions and promoting accountability within Somalia’s governance structure.
OAGS Support Ecosystem Framework as well as Strategic Priorities and Gaps: An overview of the OAGS support network and strategic priorities, along with current gaps, offered insights into the Office’s operational landscape, promoting efficient resources for key intervention areas and future collaborations.
The meeting concluded with an engaging Q&A session, enabling participants to interact with OAGS representatives, provide feedback, asnd seek clarification. In his closing remarks, the AG expressed gratitude to attendees and reiterated the Office’s commitment to fostering successful partnerships.
The Annual Development Partners meeting aligns with goal 3 of the OAGS Strategic Plan, contributing to the broader campaign to establish proactive engagement and trustful collaboration with key stakeholders. As the roles and responsibilities of the Office of the Auditor General evolve to meet the demands of a dynamic audit landscape and a growing nation, maintaining a robust connection with its support ecosystem remains of paramount importance.
