Date: Tue, 10 Feb 2015 21:41:47 +0100
Eritrea: Afwerki “vows never to steal public funds”
Khartoum (HAN) February 10, 2015 – Public Diplomacy and Regional security
news. President Isyas Afwerki told Eritrean people in 1992, “his government
officials and EPLF leaders has vowed never to embezzle public funds”.
The freedom fighter-politician told his EPLF followers that Eritrea deserved
honest men like him and his team who would not squander African governments
recourses on frivolous things.
Geeska Afrika Online INTERVIEW: Our government officials don’t steal public
funds; they don’t use private jets or fly first class — Eritrean Ambassador
in Rome.
Eritrea is a small but an extraordinary African country that has largely
tamed official profligacy and has succeeded in instilling a rare sense of
accountability in its leaders and people, says the Eritrean Ambassador.
Eritrean Ambassador spoke to Geeska Afrika Online’ security editor in
Khartoum in January about his country and its administration.
But, after 30 years, Eritrean officials Stashed US$ 699.6 Million in Swiss
Bank, according to ýSwiss fraud Leaks, a collaborative investigation that
exposed how the Swiss branch of one of the world’s biggest banks, HSBC,
profited from doing business with tax dodgers around the world, ranked
Eritrea 53 out of 200 countries with assets of US$699.6 million stashed in
these offshore accounts.
Around 24 client accounts were opened between 1981 and 2006 and linked to 39
bank accounts. Around 32 clients are associated with Eritrea. 28% have a
Eritrean passport or nationality. Eritrea will never become like Nigeria,
according to Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state.
“The only way to stop us from stealing is to stone us. The Nigerian
followers are as guilty as the Nigerian leaders. The Nigerian institutions
are all compromised; and there is no alternative to them as it is. Nigerians
appear not to be against stealing and corruption but only against how long
you stay stealing and being corrupt.
Don’t ever expect those in public office to fight corruption on these
facts.”
Photo: Eritrean Mechanized Forces In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. EPLF kept ‘the
jewel on the crown’ palace until the arrival of Meles Zenawi from London.
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