Hargeisa (Dawan Africa) - The Vice President of Somaliland, Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, has formally launched a sweeping new Government Vehicle Management System, marking a decisive move to end the unchecked misuse of state-owned vehicles by unauthorized individuals. The initiative is part of a broader campaign to tighten control over public assets and enforce institutional accountability.
The announcement was made on Sunday, during the unveiling of the “Government Vehicle Operations Book,” a foundational document that introduces new protocols to track, verify, and regulate all government vehicles in Somaliland.
According to officials, the reform is a direct response to long-standing concerns that public vehicles were being diverted for private use or operated without clear oversight—weakening government performance and eroding public confidence.
“This marks a turning point in how we manage government assets,” Vice President Aw Abdi stated at the launch ceremony. “We are putting an end to a culture of impunity around public property. From now on, every vehicle will be accounted for—and every misuse will be investigated.”
The system includes a full audit and digital registry of all government vehicles, coupled with new access restrictions to ensure that only authorized officials operate them. Enforcement tools are also being developed to hold ministries and departments accountable for how they manage these assets.
“Vehicles funded by taxpayers cannot be allowed to operate outside the law,” Aw Abdi continued. “This new system is not just about logistics—it's about restoring public trust and enforcing discipline at every level of government.”
The reform effort is seen as part of Somaliland’s broader push to combat corruption, streamline governance, and improve service delivery. Mismanagement of vehicles has long been cited as a symptom of larger institutional weaknesses, and this move is being closely watched by governance observers as a potential model for wider reform.
Independent analysts say the new oversight system could serve as a test case for Somaliland’s capacity to implement transparent administrative reforms, with possible spillover effects in areas such as budgeting, procurement, and civil service management.
As the rollout begins, officials have pledged firm action against any violations and stressed that no official—elected or appointed—will be above the rules. The campaign, they say, is not symbolic but the start of a serious institutional transformation.
