SNACC receives 1,710 financial disclosure declarations

The Supreme National Authority for Combating Corruption (SNACC) received 1,710 financial disclosure cases from ministers and high ranking officials from the different governmental, security, and military institutions until April 30, 2008, according to the head of the financial disclosure unit of the SNACC, Mohammed Hamoud al-Matari.

Al-Matari said that the Ministry of Defense was first among all ministries followed by the Ministry of Interior in terms of the number of financial disclosures they have submitted to SNACC.

Al-Matari said Wednesday that, in cooperation with the SNACC, the Ministry of Interior formed committees for field visits to all governorates to deliver forms of financial declarations for those included in governorates security, branches of central security, emergency police, and the coast guard. 

At the time he indicated that Central Security Chief of General Staff, Yahya Mohammed Abdullah Saleh, has delivered his financial disclosure along with a number of the Interior Ministry officials including the Minister of Interior Dr. Rashad al-Alimi and his deputies and other high-ranking officers. Al-Matari praised interaction of the Ministry regarding delivering disclosures.

SNACC, since beginning a crackdown on corruption, has already received 119 cases of corruption that they are investigating, according to the head of the Financial Disclosure sector in the NSACA, Mohammed Hammond al-Matari. 

Al-Matari explained that his office has already informed the officials whom are late to submit their financial disclosures or the Authority will have their cases referred to the courts. 

Ahmed Gurhesh, a member of the SNACC, said that they are working on many cases and are planning to cooperate with the press to keep the public informed of their actions because they are key partners in the fight against corruption.

“The Authority is preparing to move on to different ministries, and the Prime Minister has circulated a statement to all ministers to submit their financial disclosures,” said al-Matari. 

The law requires every one of the high-rank government employees to submit their financial disclosures, including lists of their possessions and immediate family members to the SNACC, which will inspect and follow up these documents. 

In the same fight against corruption, the Central Organization for Control and Auditing (COCA), in cooperation with the SNACC, has started preparing a joint strategic working plan to amalgamate its corruption fighting energies.   

Sources in COCA said that this plan will be applied nationwide and will organize all efforts of the COCA, SNACC, and other bodies in a long-term campaign to eliminate administrative and financial corruption in Yemen.  

The Financial Disclosure Law, approved by parliament in August 2006, obliges all state employees to present details of their property and possessions to enable the SNACC to more efficiently investigate government corruption and illegal activities.   

The law aims to enhance trust between state institutions and citizens by fighting the illegal use of government funds and preventing the misuse of public money. Any money, property or other benefits that state employees receive by exploiting his or her job or position is considered illegal. The law is binding for all government employees ranging from the president to the lowest position in all departments. Deputy ministers and other officials will be the next group required to submit their financial disclosures according to the law.   

There is a lot of criticism surrounding the Financial Disclosure Law as it obliges all those covered under it to present their entire family’s financial and capital holdings in their disclosure statements every two years and contains information about the official, his family members, data of his income and all of his household possessions.   

The committee of the SNACC was elected in June of last year to handle the financial disclosures. The SNACC is composed of 11 members, headed by Ahmed al-Anesi with Dr. Belqis Abu Usba as his deputy.  

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