MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) — A major complaint has been filed with the German National Contact Point of the OECD by the Somalia Accountability & Transparency Organization (SATO-USA), led by Somali Member of Parliament and anti-corruption advocate Dr. Abdillahi Hashi Abib.
The complaint accuses the Bavarian State Mint and two other German firms of producing and marketing gold and silver coins as official currency of the Republic of Somalia without legal authorization since 2004.
The coins in question, including the widely circulated “Somalia Gold and Silver Elephant” and “Leopard” bullion series, have been marketed globally as legal Somali tender.
They feature the Somali coat of arms and are denominated in Somali Shillings.
The annual issues, prized by collectors and investors for their artistry and high purity, are minted in .9999 fine gold and .999 fine silver, with some also issued in platinum.
According to the complaint, neither the Central Bank of Somalia nor the federal government approved or benefited from this program.
Suspicions from numismatic whistleblowers
Dr. Abib—who also chairs the Accountability and Transparency Caucus in Somalia’s House of the People—began investigating after Parliament raised concerns about the Central Bank’s oversight.
His findings confirmed long-standing suspicions from numismatic whistleblowers that the coin program was an unauthorized scheme, sustained by bribery and manipulation involving individuals posing as Somali government agents.
“The Central Bank has no records of this coinage and has received no revenues or royalties,” said Dr. Jonathan Levy, legal counsel for SATO-USA. “This may be one of the largest known cases of a developed country exploiting a fragile state’s identity for profit. Germany must be held to account.”
The complaint alleges that in addition to unauthorized minting, some of the coins were designed to mock or insult Somali culture.
One example cited is a 2020 gold coin featuring former U.S. President Donald Trump on one side and the Somali national emblem on the other. Other coins reportedly depict Catholic Popes, saints, and religious icons, despite Somalia’s strict adherence to Shariah law.
Dr. Abib’s inquiry traced the operation to several German firms, including Commonwealth Mint and Philatelic Bureau Ltd., a subsidiary of Heimerle + Meule GmbH. In October 2024, he formally notified these entities that they may be violating the Somali Penal Code, including laws prohibiting the counterfeiting of state seals.
The Bavarian State Mint subsequently directed Commonwealth Mint’s leadership to respond to the allegations.
Dr. Abib contends the case underscores a broader pattern of exploitation of nations with weak institutions: “While Somalia is often blamed for corruption, this case shows how European entities benefit from impunity and lack of oversight when dealing with vulnerable countries.”
The OECD complaint now awaits review by German authorities, while pressure mounts for a full investigation into the conduct of the Bavarian State Mint and its partners.