The most corrupt country in the world is Somalia

The most corrupt country in the world is Somalia

Diane Alter – AHN News Reporter

United States (AHN) – For the fifth year, Somalia sits atop the most corrupt country list, as its politicians continue to come up with new ways to profit from the country’s misery.

Putting them at No.1 was the practice of setting up refugee camps to divert food donations they can then steal and sell on the black market.

Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index aims to measure the level of bribery, diverted aid, and stolen political power that enrich a country’s leaders at the expense of its citizens and overall economy.

The 2011 list contains familiar names and well as one newcomer.

Somalia is hard to beat when it comes to corruption, with the worst crimes being carried out by the Al-Shabaab movement, which controls large portions of the countryside and finances its operations partly through ransom money it demands as tribute from pirate gangs.

Somalia’s Transitional National Government isn’t much better. A recent U.N. report showed the government, led by President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, is most competent at stealing foreign aid.

Tied with Somalia as the most corrupt country is the sole newcomer North Korea. More information about business in the secretive country has come to light from executives doing business there and the tens of thousands of escapes who have made their way to Korea and China. Author Melanie Kilpatrick of the Hudson Institute, who has interviewed dozens of escapes for two years, describes North Korea as “the most corrupt place on earth.”

Also making the list is Myanmar, or Burma, for its rampant corruption of its military dominated government.

Next on the list are Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, all known for their country’s endemic corruption.

At No. 7 is Sudan, followed by Iraq, Haiti and Venezuela.

Venezuela has hovered in or close to the Top Ten for years thanks in part to the regime of Hugo Chavez who is known for padding the wallets of friends and relatives, and also turning a blind eye to the country’s drug trade. The U.S. State Department says of the South American oil rich country, “Money laundering and judicial corruption are major concerns.”

At the opposite end of the list, New Zealand holds the distinction of being the least corrupt nation, with Denmark close behind. The United States came in at No. 24.
http://gantdaily.com/2011/12/04/the-most-corrupt-country-in-the-world-is-somalia/

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