Somali government arrests 3 over scholarship fraud
MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) - Somalia's education minister says three officials have been arrested for mismanaging a scholarship scheme that sends Somali students to Turkey, a sign that the fledgling government is committed to fighting the corruption that contributes to the country's failed-state status.
Minister Maryan Qasim Arif said Saturday that the officials were arrested for offering the scholarships to undeserving students. He said the officials include the ministry's former director general, who faced widespread accusations that he took bribes.
Ranked as the world's most corrupt country by Transparency International, Somalia is just now recovering from decades of war and strife. Somalia held elections last year following the success of Somali and African forces in ousting Islamist extremists from the capital Mogadishu. Last week the United States officially recognized Somalia's new government.