“I haven’t touched a single Laari of public funds, or done anything I can’t be held accountable for”

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has firmly asserted that his time in office was defined by integrity, accountability, and an unwavering commitment to public trust.

Speaking on RaajjeTV’s "Fashaairu" morning talk show on Thursday, Solih addressed recent allegations stemming from the Auditor General’s report on Fenaka Corporation, allegations he dismissed as politically motivated and strategically timed.

Solih underscored that throughout his five-year presidency, and even before assuming office, he had not misused a single Rufiyaa of public funds. He presented himself as a leader who governed with transparency, ready to answer for every decision made under his administration, in any forum, at any time.

Touching on the Fenaka audit, Solih distanced himself from any implication of personal gain or misuse of funds. The timing and presentation of the report, he suggested, appeared to carry clear political undertones, raising questions about its intent rather than its substance.

Beyond defending his own record, Solih reflected on the broader and longstanding challenge of corruption within the state apparatus. He described it as a deeply entrenched issue, one his administration had begun to confront, despite the magnitude of the task. He emphasized that meaningful reform requires time, consistency, and above all, independent institutions.

Central to his message was the vital role of an independent judiciary in the fight against corruption. Solih highlighted that under his leadership, public trust in the courts, especially the Supreme Court, had begun to strengthen. But recent events, such as the abrupt, midnight suspension of Supreme Court judges deliberating on sensitive parliamentary matters, had cast a dark shadow over judicial independence.

He warned that these actions, along with questionable moves by institutions like the Auditor General’s Office, signaled a troubling erosion of the checks and balances necessary for a functioning democracy. Under his tenure, he noted, bodies like the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) were empowered to act independently. Today, however, that institutional autonomy appears to be under threat.

In standing firm against what he described as a tide of politicized narratives, Solih sought to frame his legacy not merely as a former head of state, but as a leader who governed with clean hands, and who remains prepared to stand accountable for every moment of his presidency.