The American embassy assumed African politicians were corruptible
Evidence
As a prominent minister, Hussen had many opportunities to appropriate strategic building plots in Mogadishu. All local government in the country, including the capital city, came under the purview of the Ministry of Interior. He owned only one plot in Mogadishu that was vacant. This plot attracted interest from the American embassy. The American ambassador paid a visit to Hussen during his days in Interior to discuss matters of concern to the Americans. Once these items were concluded, the ambassador shifted his attention to personal matters. He informed Hussen that his plot overlooking the Indian Ocean was nice property, and the embassy would be willing to develop it without any cost to him. In addition, the embassy would occupy the new building for five years after which the minister would take complete ownership. Hussen was dumbfounded. Feeling caught off guard, he asked the diplomat why the embassy would want to do him this favor instead of approaching a private business. It was now the ambassador’s turn to be confounded, because the response flew in the face of his assumption that all African politicians were on the take. — Abdi Ismail Samatar, Africa’s First Democrats, 724
Categorization
Category: Factual Claims