October 21, 2010 11:47 a.m. EST

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7020290164?Somali%20President:%20Money%20Laundering%20Will%20Not%20Be%20Tolerated

Abdi Hajji Hussein - AHN News Correspondent

Mogadishu, Somalia (AHN) - In a key note speech on Wednesday before the parliament, Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the president of the transitional federal government of Somalia, proclaimed money laundering in the government will not be tolerated.

 “If we keep silent those who [are] in government, who [are] responsible for money laundering, that will be home traitors,” Ahmed said, describing unfairness as the main factor of the 20-year-old conflict in Somalia.

Ahmed argued a new prime minister will form his government fairly with justice when the parliament approves him.

Corruption has marred not only every aspect of Somali society but government institutions as well, according to the president.

In March, the United Nations Monitoring Committee on Somalia released a report that highlighted Somali government ministers and officials accused of selling European visas to the highest bidder and regional governments in cahoots with pirates and their thriving criminal industry.

Somalia is one of the world's most corrupt countries, according to a Transparency International report.

The president also talked about the latest long-threatened offensive against Al Shabaab and Hizbul Islam, saying Somali government forces had made remarkable achievements. He encouraged the forces to continue fighting until they clear what he called terrorists from Somalia.