Somalia Minister of Justice “Hassan Moalim Mahmoud” has urged for deeper regional collaboration to combat corruption, recover stolen assets, and strengthen judicial cooperation across the Middle East and North Africa.
The minister made his remarks during the First Annual General Meeting of the Middle East and North Africa Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network (MENA-ARIN), held this week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The high-level event gathered senior officials from judicial authorities, anti-corruption commissions, and financial intelligence units to explore collective strategies for tracing and recovering assets lost through corruption and illicit financial activities.
Regional Vision Against Corruption
Somalia Minister of Justice described MENA-ARIN as a “historic step toward strengthening justice and accountability” in the region, he said:
“Crimes like corruption, money laundering, and terrorism funding do not recognize national borders.
No country, regardless of its capabilities, can face them without support.”
He emphasized that the creation of this regional network demonstrates a collective commitment to uphold transparency, good governance, and the rule of law.
The minister stressed that building strong justice systems is not only a legal obligation but also a moral responsibility as both are essential for rebuilding public trust and supporting state institutions in post-conflict nations like Somalia.
Somalia’s Anti-Corruption Drive
In recent years, Somalia has made significant progress in improving governance and accountability.
The country has enacted new anti-corruption laws, strengthened its Office of the Auditor General, and established mechanisms for financial investigation and asset recovery.
Minister Mahmoud noted that regional cooperation remains critical in identifying and recovering assets stolen through corruption and hidden in foreign jurisdictions.
Somalia Minister of Justice: “Somalia Will Work with MENA-ARIN to Strengthen its institutions.”
He added that Somalia will work closely with MENA-ARIN to enhance the technical capacity of its institutions.
Including the Financial Reporting Center (FRC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission.
In order to conduct financial investigations, trace illicit assets, and reinforce transparency in public administration, he said:
“MENA-ARIN network provides a special opportunity for member states to share experiences and access expertise.
It is also helpful to coordinate efforts to return stolen wealth to its rightful owners, the people.”
Regional and International Collaboration
The minister also expressed deep appreciation to the Saudi government for hosting the meeting and to the international partners like UNODC and StAR to support the formation of MENA-ARIN.
He reaffirmed Somalia’s commitment to active participation in all future network activities.
He also highlighted the importance of continued capacity-building programs, technical cooperation, and joint investigations between member countries.
Somalia Minister of Justice said:
“Today’s gathering is not just a meeting.”
“It is the start of a shared journey toward justice, integrity, and prosperity for the people of our region.”
About MENA-ARIN
The Middle East and North Africa Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network (MENA-ARIN) was created to strengthen cross-border cooperation between judicial and law enforcement agencies in the fight against corruption, money laundering, and illicit financial flows.
Through information-sharing, technical training, and coordinated investigations, MENA-ARIN helps member countries.
This is by building effective asset recovery systems and promoting regional solidarity in tackling financial crimes.
Collective Responsibility
Somalia is an active member of the network which reflects its growing commitment to international anti-corruption standards and transparency reforms.
As Somalia continues to rebuild its institutions and strengthen public confidence, initiatives like MENA-ARIN highlight a new era of collective responsibility.
In this era, regional unity and mutual trust can restore what corruption has taken away, turning justice into a shared foundation for peace and development across the region.
