Security in Africa
Editorial Security in Africa Anti-corruption commission London is an organisation dedicated to assisting Governments in fighting corruption. We have researched the issues and challenges that have plagued Africa’s anti-corruption initiatives over the last decade or two. The result of corruption is self-evident in Lampendusa Italy, where the children of Africa are willing to risk harm to life and limb and death, crossing the Mediterranean Sea to find a better life outside of Africa, with African governments unable to address the root cause of their abandonment of Africa en mass. The lack of a robust solution to corruption in Africa has meant many ordinary Africans are now convinced there is no alternative to corruption. It’s debilitating effect is also prevalent in some Government officials that start life in anti-corruption with good and noble intentions however, over time and many painful and lethargic ordeals, including the imminent danger to their lives, they often give up hope and the state of hoplelessness continues. This is all to the detriment of Africa and its current and future development. The commission is different in its approach to helping Governments because it is working in collaboration with some of the state of the art anti-corruption specialists in Europe and use some of the latest anti-corruption technology available in the market. Under the chairmanship of Courtenay Griffiths QC, we have partnered with the Commonwealth Africa AntiCorruption Centre and provide a unique approach to anti-corruption.
Ben Oguntala Founder SIA
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Security in Africa
Content 06
04. Africa’s fight against
corruption
08. Secretary General’s
message at Malawi Conference 2017
10. Corruption is fighting
back
12. Commonwealth Africa
Ant-Corruption Centre, its responsibilities and prospects 17. Ramaphosa promises
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corruption crackdown at SONA 18. President George Weah
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stresses Anti-corruption for Africa’s development 20. EFCC- Economic
Financial Crime Commission
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Security in Africa
AFRICA’s fight against Corruption
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ddis Ababa Ethiopia, 29 January 2018- The theme of the year 2018: “Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation”, was officially launched by H.E Mr. Muhammadu Buhari President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on 28th January 2018, during the opening ceremony of the 30th Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) currently holding at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa Ethiopia. President Buhari congratulated the African Union for dedicating the theme of the year to the noble cause of fighting corruption on our Continent. He thanked the African Heads of State for entrusting him with the responsibility of serving as the Champion of the theme of the year. He pledged that he will do his very best to ensure that the anticorruption agenda will receive the attention it deserves and make the impact we all hope for, during 2018 and beyond.
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Corruption is indeed one of the greatest evils of our time. Corruption rewards those who do not play by the rules and also creates a system of distortion and diversion thereby destroying all efforts at constructive, just and fair governance”, said the theme Champion for 2018. He added that, in tackling corruption, the Continent has made significant strides, putting in place legal and policy frameworks, notably the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC). “However, the adoption of the legal and policy frameworks have not had the desired success in tackling this evil”, he noted. According to President Buhari, fifteen (15) years after the adoption of the African Union Convention, 2018 provides a good starting point to take stock of progress made so far, assess what still needs to be done and devise new strategies to address new corruption challenges. “It is true that our continent has witnessed sustained growth over the past two decades. Nonetheless, public confidence has been eroded by a focus on short-term priorities and payoffs, propelled by corruption, which too often leaves projects uncompleted and promises unfulfilled” he underlined.
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President Buhari of Nigeria Launches the AU Theme of The Year 2018 on Fighting Corruption in the Continent.
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he President further highlighted that corruption and its effects have many sides. It poses real threat to national security, unity and survival of the African State and people. The African Union Agenda 2063, under Aspiration 3 recognizes that corruption erodes the development of a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of the law. The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, under Goal 16, calls on all countries to promote and develop accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels, notably, by reducing bribery and corruption.
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In this connection, I cannot over-emphasize the value of strong institutions. A Judiciary which stands firm against arbitrariness and injustice by the executive is a vital pillar in the anti-corruption fight. As leaders, we must build synergy between the Executive, Legislative and Judicial arms of government in order to entrench good governance, transparency and accountability”, stressed the Nigerian President.
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eanwhile, the Champion of the AU theme of the year pointed out that, strong institutions are a necessary condition in any society which aims to fight corruption. In building strong national and regional institutions, “we must adequately empower our national anti-corruption agencies and insulate them from political influence. We have to encourage increased institutional collaboration between Law Enforcement Agencies and anticorruption Agencies in order to win this fight”. To that effect, the President recalled that, it is evident that corruption has a devastating impact on marginalized communities especially the youth, women and children. He said corruption breeds unequal societies, renders vulnerable groups prone to human trafficking, as well as recruitment into armed groups and militia. “In effect, corruption deprives our young citizens of opportunities to develop meaningful livelihoods. We must therefore, work together to defeat this evil”, he emphasized. President Buhari promised the Heads of State that, with their endorsement during the course of 2018, he will prioritize the following initiatives, to help fight corruption I Africa: a) To organize African Youth Congresses against Corruption, in order to sensitize and engage our youth in the fight against c o r r u p t i o n ;
Security in Africa b) mobilizing all African Union Member States to implement the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption; and
face some setbacks, we should remain resolute. Our common goal is to eradicate corruption in the best interest of our societies”.
c) advocating for the strengthening of the criminal justice system across Africa through exchange of information and sharing best practices in the enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
The President of Nigeria and Champion of the AU theme of the year 2018 ended his speech by reiterating Nigeria’s abiding commitment to “the fight against corruption today, tomorrow and the day after tomorrow.
he President expressed the wish that African Union Advisory Board on Corruption be strengthened in order to play a more proactive role in the anti-corruption fight. He also proposed to enlist as partners, important actors such as parliamentarians, women associations, the media, the business community, faith-based groups, the youth, educational institutions and traditional leaders, among others. He further underscored the need to redouble efforts in addressing the causal relationship between corruption and illicit financial flows. “The Report of the AU High Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa, chaired by H.E Thabo Mbeki, former President of South Africa, in partnership with United Nations Economic Commission (UNECA) revealed that Africa loses about 50 billion dollars annually” he said. He added that, the High Level Panel has also pointed out the corrosive role that tax havens and secrecy jurisdictions play in concealing ill-gotten assets. Therefore, calling on the African Union to do more to stop “the continuous assault on our economic and financial resources by multinationals in collusion with some of our citizens”.
He said “I am truly inspired in this task by the commitment, encouragement and support of my fellow African Heads of State to succeed in this noble cause”.
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The Champion stated that, it is important that one of the goals of this year’s theme should be the development of a Common African Position on Asset Recovery. He said, the manifestation of corruption in Africa is also a reflection of the need for stronger leadership and oversight institutions. “Tackling corrupt acts and greed require a reorientation of our attitudes and perceptions. To win the fight against corruption, we must have a CHANGE of mind set” he emphasized. “Changing the state of play requires retraining a greater awareness as a means to instill better and more transparent values in the political class and the citizenry, especially people in positions of trust”. Before concluding, President Buhari informed the Summit that, Nigeria has gone far into the implementation of its CHANGE Agenda, which is primarily aimed at fighting corruption. He urged his peers that as they set off on this honorable path, they should bear in mind that fighting corruption is not going to be a straightforward task and that corruption does fight back. “While we may
AU Commission, Addisa Ababa, Ethiopia Page 5
“Corruption and its effects have many sides. It poses real threat to national security, unity and survival of the African State and people. The African Union Agenda 2063, under Aspiration 3 recognises that corruption erodes the development of a universal culture of good governance, democratic values, gender equality, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of the law.” – President Muhammadu Buhari In his speech at the launch of 2018 as the African Anti-Corruption Year on January 28, at Addis Ababa,
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WHISTLE BLOWING As part of the measures to fight corruption, the Federal Government in December 2016 came up with the Whistle-blower Policy. According to the Nigerian Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, as of July 2017, over 5,000 reports had been made through various reporting channels, 365 actionable tips were received out of the 5,000 reports. She said that over half of the reports came from public servants. The minister noted that the tips related to issues of contract inflation, ‘ghost workers’, illegal recruitment and misappropriation of funds. Others, according to her, included illegal sale of government assets, diversion of revenues and violation of the TSA regulations.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS The Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, said on Monday, during the 2018 budget defence at the House of Representatives, total asset recoveries by the anti-graft agency amounted to more than N473bn, $98million, €7million, and £294,000 among others between January and December 2017. Under this administration, an unprecedented number of Very Important Personalities including Politically Exposed Persons have been arrested and currently being prosecuted in various courts across the country. These include former governors, ministers, commissioners, heads of departments and agencies, party chairmen, legislators and even judges.
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Message from the Secretary- General, 2017 Your Excellencies esteemed guests
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I am delighted to welcome you today, as you assemble for the Seventh Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa. The Commonwealth Secretariat, in conjunction with Malawi’s Anti-Corruption Bureau, is pleased to host this Regional Conference for Heads of AntiCorruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, in Malawi, 29 May – 2 June 2017, under the theme ‘Collaborating National Action Against Corruption in Commonwealth Africa’.
The decision to convene the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa (AACACA) in 2011 was borne out of the belief that cooperation was necessary in order to confront what is, increasingly, an international threat. The practical value of this collaboration was in evidence in the Annual Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies Conferences, as the anti-corruption agencies learnt and drew strength from one another. This positive trend is reflected by Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Indexes, in which seven to eight of the top ten least-corrupt countries in Africa are Commonwealth countries. Our 18 member states in Africa have a better score today than they did five years ago. It is clear that our shared Commonwealth values, which include respect for the rule of law and commitment to good governance, will be more important than ever in building on this success as we move forward.
This conference in Malawi provides an opportunity to celebrate some important successes in the fight against corruption in Africa. We can all take pride in the fact that Commonwealth countries in the region are making progress in strengthening their legal frameworks and in building their institutional capacity to tackle bribThe conference provides a ery and abuse of office. unique platform for sharing, exIndeed, we cannot be unmind- periences, frameworks, toolkits, ful of the scale of the challenge insights and country efforts in that still lies before us. Sus- the fight against corruption and tained attention from govern- the promotion of good governments and donor partners will ance in Commonwealth Africa. be required in the years ahead This regional conference will ofin order to reduce – and ulti- fer each of us an opportunity to mately eliminate – the damage take a renewed look at how our inflicted by corruption on our respective systems are workcontinent. I am pleased that the ing. It is our hope that appropriconference allows us to focus ate changes where necessary will be made. our minds on this task.
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Rt. Hon. Patricia Scotland
Baroness Scotland of Asthal Secretary General of the common wealth of Nations
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Corruption is fighting back -Ibrahim Magu, Chairman EFCC Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, has said the 2017 low rating of Nigeria by the Transparency International, TI, in the global corruption perception index, was a case of corruption fighting back. Magu, however, boasted that the Muhammadu Buhari administration and the EFCC had done better in the fight against corruption more than ever before.
N7.65 billion as personnel cost, N2.75 billion as overhead cost, and N8.4 billion as capital appropriation. Magu however, sought an increase of the personnel cost to N9.6 billion to accommodate the 1500 newly recruited cadet, whose total estimated emoluments is N2.56 billion. He also sought an increase of the capital budget by N1.79 billion to accommodate the cost of additional work in the construction of
the recovery of monies in various currencies which are $8.29 million, N102.9 billion, £29,155, €12,475, CAD 117,004, AED 806.50, F5000, and INR 2000. The agency also secured 135 convictions, 25 interim forfeiture order and five final forfeiture orders, in the same year, Magu added. “Inadequate funding continues to hamper our ability to implement our projected plans. The fragmented nature of our offices
The EFCC boss spoke in Enugu during a working tour of the commission’s south east zonal office in Enugu and Anambra states. According to him, Nigeria met all the eight requirements as contained in the nine-point protocol, but only scored low in one point. Magu said: “We have met almost every demand. So it’s corruption fighting back. You will see them carrying a lot of false information, buying all the media organisations. I don’t believe in that TI rating, I don’t believe it’s real because from what we have done, we have worked very hard and we have recorded a lot of successes that had never been recorded before in this country; it has never been done so well. I’m not giving the credit for myself. This is as he disclosed that the agency, in the last two weeks, raided the homes of two individuals and recovered separate cash sums of $9.72 million, £750,000 and N1.5 billion. Magu however, did not reveal the identities of the affected individuals. “Just last week, we raided the house of an individual and recovered $9.72 million and another £750,000. In fact, about two weeks ago, we recovered N1.5bn from one individual in Kaduna. The person is a public servant,” he said. The total 2017 budget proposal for the antigraft agency is the sum of N17.2 billion with N7 billion for capital expenditure, N7.1 as personnel cost and N3 billion for overhead. N17.2 billion is an 8.5 decrease from the agency’s 2016 budget of N18.8 billion with
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the commission’s new head office complex. Magu highlighted some of the achievements of the commission in 2016, particularly
in Abuja makes coordination of our efforts a challenge…the automation of our ICT systems is ongoing and requires greater urgency.
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Prof. Wole Soyinka When you fight corruption, corruption strikes back and that is the truth because when you fight corruption, you get confidence and when it gets to impunity, then it gets aggressive and says, ‘oh, so you think you are different? You think you are tough and different?’ This is why some of us are almost permanently in the libel court.
Femi Falana SAN The menace of corruption is compounded by the impunity of the ruling class in a neo-colonial state like Nigeria whereas it is controlled by an effective criminal justice system under the rule of rule of law which operates in western countries
Thabo Mbeki As Africans, we need to share common recognition that all of us stand to lose if we fail to transform our continent. Page 11
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Our continent has and is still suffering from the deadly disease of corruption. For us as a Commonwealth, the countries of Africa have a special responsibility to take the fight against corruption to another level... It is imperative that our countries unite to fight this common enemy. No country can singularly fight corruption and succeed. Strength will be found collectively in the prestigious CAACC we are gathered here to launch.
Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre, its responsibilities and prospects
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orruption is a pervasive problem in both the developed and developing world. In Africa, issues around corruption have plagued the continent, leading to stunted development, weak institutions, lack of investment and a general attitude of mistrust towards governance and its institutions. Improvement in current levels of corruption requires strengthening of anticorruption institutions. Strong regional support for strengthening oversight institutions like anti-corruption agencies is sine qua non. Commonwealth member countries are generally doing comparatively better than their global counterparts; this is believed to be largely due to the shared Commonwealth tradition of democracy, common law and public administration. Recent assessment of the leadership capabilities of African heads of governments found that eight of the ten top leaders are Commonwealth countries and none of the 19 Commonwealth leaders were rated in the lowest quartile of the 52 African countries assessed. Nine of the ten most peaceful were Commonwealth countries, headed by Botswana. Aside from quality leaders, Commonwealth governments are generally more effective and have a more consistent rule of law compared to non-Commonwealth countries and out of 47 countries in the world classified as ‘not free’, only four are Commonwealth countries. 60Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 Very few Commonwealth countries are rated by major international
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development institutions as fragile, and the record of Commonwealth countries with regard to corruption is generally good. Only four of the Commonwealth countries appear at the bottom according to Transparency International’s corruption perception index, because amongst Commonwealth members, there is no room for complacency when it comes to corruption. The above notwithstanding, many developing African countries, whose public sectors are hampered by corruption, poor management and inadequate public services, have made little or no progress towards achievement of the MDG’s. This underscores why the Commonwealth facilitates co-operation and building of an anti-corruption agencies’ association in Africa that can ensure an effective public administrative, responsive and efficient corruption-free public service. A central part of the Commonwealth’s endeavours is to help member countries face up to corruption and tackle its destructive impact. Fighting corruption in Commonwealth Africa will also help in fighting poverty and make an important contribution for developing and delivering the MDG’s. In doing this, the Commonwealth Secretariat helps to make the vision of international development a reality.
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t is worthy of note that the Commonwealth is ideally placed in its strategic efforts to foster genuine partnerships between all member states. Its effectiveness is built upon the ‘ownership’ by its members, and the trust and confidence that member coun-
Security in Africa tries have in the Commonwealth Secretariat to work on this important agenda for the Commonwealth countries in Africa.
Commonwealth response to corruption
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) mandate in 2005 obliges the Commonwealth Secretariat to support member states to develop and adopt measures and strategies to combat corruption and improve governance (CHOGM mandate, 2005). To this end, the Commonwealth Secretariat prioritised anticorruption work to strengthen good governance through reduction in corruption, thereby promoting accountability and integrity in the Commonwealth. An anti-corruption project was developed by the Governance and Institutional Development Division in 2008 to assist countries in implementing their national anti-corruption policies by mobilising all key institutions and other stakeholders involved in monitoring, detecting and responding to corruption related issues. This in-country anti-corruption project started off in African Commonwealth countries – Botswana, Zambia, Ghana, Lesotho, The Gambia, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, South Africa, etc. – before expanding to the Caribbean region – Dominica, St Lucia, Grenada and St Vincent – and to Sri Lanka and Malaysia in Asia.
The Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa Following years of in-country work implementing national anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) across the Commonwealth, particularly in Africa, a decision was made in 2011 to bring all heads of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa to a conference in Botswana. A direct result or outcome of the first conference was the creation of a practitioners’ network of heads of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa, now known as the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa.
Institutionalisation of an annual peer review conference The conference sought to broker the exchange of ideas and practices among Commonwealth ACAs and to encourage the sharing of expertise in areas where they have a comparative advantage. The host and venue for the heads of ACAs annual conference rotate among member countries. This led to the institutionalisation of an annual peer review conference/meeting of the heads of agencies – the 2011 conference was held in Botswana, 2012 in Zambia and 2013 in Mauritius – where heads of ACAs reviewed country presentations and shared transferable experiences through South-South co-operation and peer learning.
Secretariat to co-ordinate the affairs of the association The second conference for heads of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa was held in May 2012 in Livingstone, Zambia. The conference informed the heads of the need for a secretariat to co-ordinate the affairs of the association. The heads were invited to confer with their respective governments to consider the possibility of sponsoring and hosting the association’s secretariat. The Botswana Government offered a proposal to host the Commonwealth ACAs secretariat in Gaborone.
From secretariat to centre Having received Botswana’s concrete offer to host the secretariat for the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa, it was decided to change the concept of a secretariat to a centre – naming it the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) – mindful that centre functions are more encompassing than that of a secretariat. An anti-corruption centre undertakes a hive of anti-corruption activities.
Dr. Roger Koranteng
Adviser (Governance Thematic Sub-Programme Group), Governance and Institutional Development Division, Commonwealth Secretariat. Page 13
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CAACC Launching the CAACC
In February 2013, the Vice President of Botswana, Dr Ponatshego H. K. Kedikilwe, and Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Masire-Mwamba jointly commissioned the CAACC, culminating in the signing of an agreement document to operationalise the centre on 25 February 2013. About 200 high commissioners, ministers, MPs, judges and senior government officials from Botswana as well as heads of ACAs and anti-corruption officials from the Commonwealth and development partners, among others, attended the launch.
Agreement
The agreement document signed between the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Government of Botswana, and endorsed by the heads of ACAs, enjoins the following: • The Commonwealth Secretariat committed to the centre up to £1 million, £250,000 per year, for an initial period of four years to cover activities and programmes • The Government of Botswana committed, on its part, an in-kind contribution of five fully paid staff, office accommodation and provision of training facilities • ACAs would have to pay travel costs for their officers to access the centre’s programmes and activities
Goals of the centre
The overarching goal of the centre is to reduce corruption in Commonwealth Africa. The centre specifically seeks to: • Improve agencies’ capacity and capability to combat and prevent corruption • Strengthen collaboration of regional agencies • Improve education and awareness of forms of corruption, and of the role of agencies The centre is expected to achieve the above goals by providing training, research and other anti-corruption initiatives for all Commonwealth African countries, in areas such as investigations, public education and prevention, Commonwealth Governance Handbook 2013/14 prosecution, monitoring and evaluation, and professional ethics. The centre will also co-ordi-
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nate solidarity initiatives among association members in support of those facing hostile political and media campaigns. Further, the centre is designed essentially to become the prime vehicle for improving co-ordination and strengthening the capacity of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa. This would lead to the effective and efficient delivery of anti-corruption services in African Commonwealth countries, and increased citizen trust and confidence in the agencies.
Operationalisation of the centre
Based on a request from the Government of Botswana to the Commonwealth Secretary-General after the launch of the centre, the Commonwealth Secretariat released the adviser (governance) for a period of six weeks to help operationalise the centre. Given the goals and objectives of the centre, if the centre was to perform its main functions prescribed in the agreement document, project design document and the strategic plan, it would require staff to co-ordinate its key functional areas – training activities, research activities, communication and political affairs, and administration portfolios. To this end, an organisational structure and job descriptions were designed for the centre. Designated staff positions at the CAACC are currently as follows: centre manager, training co-ordinator, research coordinator, communication and political affairs co-ordinator, and administrative officer positions. Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre, its responsibilities and prospects A comprehensive training plan based on the mapping of Commonwealth Africa ACAs training needs, a project design document and strategic plan have been developed. The training plan outlines type of course, course objectives, target group, collaborating partners, duration and cost. Professional action learning programmes in corruption monitoring, evaluation and assessment, and investigation and prevention were delivered within the period. Partner organisations pulled together for the programme included: UNDP; UNODC; Deloitte (South Africa); Botswana’s Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crimes; AusAid; and University of Zambia.
The aim of the programme was to build an M&E capacity within ACAs in Commonwealth Africa to effectively measure and assess corruption and the impact of anti-corruption initiatives to inform effective policy making at these agencies. Many ACAs recently indicated their intention to establish new units to perform measurement and assessment duties and therefore requested the centre to train their staff to form the core mass for the M&E units to be created in the agencies. Beyond these initial pilot programmes the comprehensive training plan is being implemented. It is expected that the centre will transform the existing community of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa into a vibrant network providing active exchanges on bestfit practices and sharing solutions to common problems. The centre will provide training, research and political initiatives for all African Commonwealth countries in areas such as investigations, public education and prevention, forensics, prosecution and asset tracking.
Partnerships
The centre has the potential to grow beyond Africa because the Commonwealth family has much to learn and share with each other. The centre, since its launch, has attracted and received enquiries and interests of collaboration from international development partners and stakeholder organisations. A development partners and stakeholders’ conference was organised in Gaborone, Botswana, to provide opportunity for international development partners and other stakeholders to discuss their collaboration with the centre. Such collaboration presented a vast scope for local and international institutions to complement the centre’s resources in assisting member countries in their effort to reduce corruption. Over 30 participants from international organisations, development partners and other stakeholders attended the conference. The conference was very successful in meeting its objectives. The international organisations indicated areas (such as research, training, help desk, etc.) on which they would like to collaborate with the centre. Notable international organisations
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who pledged collaboration with the centre included the World Bank, UNODC, Transparency International, UNDP, Basel Institute of Governance, Institute of Security Studies and the University of Pretoria, among many others.
Rooting out corruption The centre’s strength, in part, is the fact that the Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa is a forum consisting of the heads of these agencies. The operations of the centre are initiatives shared by the heads and take place with their direct involvement and interest. This personal buyin greatly enhances the shared commitment and sense of ownership. The centre provides a one-stop-shop for reaching out to all the African Commonwealth ACAs – as such, doing business with the centre means doing business with all the ACAs in Commonwealth Africa.
have pledged to support the centre, which will provide a South-South exchange of ideas, technical skills and best practice to combat corruption. The Association of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa plays a vital role in developing programmes for the centre, including the sharing of technical expertise and policy advice, the provision of a help desk based at the Anti-Corruption Agency and specialist training in forensic investigation and asset tracing. The CAACC is a visible and tangible demonstration of the Commonwealth commitment to support its members’ anti-corruption efforts, with the potential for replication in Commonwealth countries across the world.
Conclusion The priority agenda of combating corruption is in line with the mandate from the Commonwealth heads of government commitment to root out systemic corruption at both national and international levels. The Commonwealth Secretariat established the network of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa for South-South collaboration and learning. The network seeks to broker the exchange of ideas and good practices among African Commonwealth countries and to encourage the sharing of experience in areas of comparative advantage, general political buy-in processes and pressures for reforms. The CAACC has been established as the prime vehicle for improving co-ordination and strengthening the capacity of ACAs in Commonwealth Africa. The centre seeks to transform the ACAs into a vibrant network providing active exchanges on ‘best fit’ practices and sharing solutions to common problems. The active involvement of the heads of ACAs in the establishment of the centre and their ownership of the same is a sign that Africa and the wider Commonwealth are committed to rooting out corruption, demonstrating that it has the potential to grow beyond Africa, as the Commonwealth family has much to learn and share with each other. All the African Commonwealth countries
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is prepared to pay it. “This requires that we strengthen law enforcement institutions and that we shield them from external interference or manipulation.” As a result, he would “urgently attend” to the leadership issues at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure it was stabilised and able to perform its mandate unhindered. In December, the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria ordered Ramaphosa to appoint a new NPA head to replace National Director of Public Prosecutions Shaun Abrahams.
Cape Town - Time could be up for certain people at state institutions, as President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised strong action against corruption in his maiden State of the Nation Address, which he delivered on Friday. Ramaphosa entered a jovial and relaxed National Assembly just before 19:00 on Friday to the customary standing ovation, following Parliament’s presiding officers. The mood in the Assembly, however, did not deter him from taking a clear, firm stance on his plans to end corruption at state institutions and state-owned enterprises (SOEs), as well as the private sector. Those who got in the way would be dealt with. “This is the year in which we will turn the tide of corruption in our public institutions,” he told a packed joint sitting of the two Houses of Parliament. “The criminal justice institutions have been taking initiatives that will enable us to deal effectively with corruption.” At this, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MPs, led by Julius Malema, started chanting: “Aaaaaaaaaaace,” aimed at ANC secretary general and Free State Premier Ace Magashule, who has been embroiled in the Vrede dairy farm project investigation.
NPA, SARS “We must fight corruption, fraud and collusion in the private sector with the same purpose and intensity,” he continued. “We must remember that every time someone receives a bribe, there is someone who
The South African Revenue Service was in the firing line as well. “We must understand that tax morality is dependent on an implicit contract between taxpayers and government that state spending provides value for money and is free from corruption.” At the request of the Minister of Finance, he would appoint a commission of inquiry into tax administration and governance of SARS.
Sassa When it came to the ongoing social grants crisis, Ramaphosa made a personal promise to ensure that the Constitutional Court’s directives were adhered to. “I want to personally allay fears of any disruption to the efficient delivery of this critical service, and will take action to ensure no person in government is undermining implementation deadlines set by the court.” At this, he received another standing ovation. Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini was once again absent from the House, having missed Ramaphosa’s election on Wednesday. He also suggested that he could possibly reduce a bloated Cabinet - a common criticism of the Presidency during the Jacob Zuma era. “It is critical that the structure and size of the state is optimally suited to meet the needs of the people and ensure the most efficient allocation of public resources. “We will therefore initiate a process to review the configuration, number and size of national government departments.” Malema and his colleagues once again started taunting the current Cabinet ministers from their benches.
Eskom ‘just the beginning’ Most notably, Ramaphosa promised intervention in procurement processes at stateowned enterprises. “The recent action we have taken at Eskom to strengthen governance, root out corruption and restore its financial position is just the beginning,” he said. “These SOEs cannot borrow their way out of their financial difficulties, and we will therefore undertake a process of consultation with all stakeholders to review the funding model of SOEs and other measures. “We will change the way that boards are appointed so that only people with expertise, experience and integrity serve in these vital positions. “I want to repeat this. We will remove board members from any role in procurement and work with the Auditor-General to strengthen external audit processes.”
Unity Ramaphosa ended his speech by evoking the memories of both former president Nelson Mandela and the late, great musician Hugh Masekela. South Africans were emerging from an anxious period, but together, they could make history, he said. “We have done it before and we will do it again – bonded by our common love for our country, resolute in our determination to overcome the challenges that lie ahead and convinced that by working together we will build the fair and just and decent society to which Nelson Mandela dedicated his life.” He concluded by quoting Masekela’s song Thuma Mina, which anticipated a day of renewal and of new beginnings. “I wanna be there when the people start to turn it around. When they triumph over poverty. I wanna be there when the people win the battle against AIDS. I wanna lend a hand. I wanna be there for the alcoholic. I wanna be there for the drug addict. I wanna be there for the victims of violence and abuse. I wanna lend a hand. Send me.”
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President George Weah Stresses Anti-corruption For Africa’s development
ADDIS ABABA, Jan. 28 (Xinhua) – Senator George Weah, the 24th President of Liberia in his first appearance at the African Union on Sunday, stressed anti-corruption efforts towards Africa’s development. Speaking at the opening session of the 30th African Union (AU) Assembly of Heads of State and Government, Weah said that “Corruption is a plight that seems to present itself in all of our countries and manifest itself in many forms.” “I and my government will benefit immensely from the discussion on the most important theme of the conference –Winning the Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation,” he said. According to Weah, corruption hinders Africa’s progress and development. He also said that corruption has made it difficult for the African people to reach their true and fullest potential. He further indicated his aspirations that the Assembly of Heads of State and
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Government will strengthen Africa’s determination and political will to tackle the challenges that emanate from corruption. Weah, who was greeted by fellow African leaders in his first ever appearance at the AU, also vowed to work together with other African countries for common development. “I am convinced that fellow colleagues that, with your help and guidance, I will be able to deliver on the promises I have made to the Liberian people, the promises that are intended to address poverty and create a conducive environment which their dreams and aspirations will be realized,” said Weah. “I look forward to working with you as all strive to maintain peace in our continent in order to provide the security and stability that each and all our countries need to grow and prosper,” he added.
Security in Africa
Somali President attends AU Summit, meets UN-Chief
Mogadishu(SONNA)-President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, H.E. Mohamed Abdulahi Farmajo is attending the 30th AU-Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that is focusing on the ‘Theme of Winning the fight against corruption and finding solution to some crisis in African countries, SONNA reported. The African Union Leaders’ Summit is look at good governance, issues of conflict resolution across Africa will also be discussed including the situation in South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and Libya.
United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Gutters at the AU summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia today. Mr. Gutters praised Somalia’s efforts and key steps taken towards progress and prosperity. Our President thanked the UN for the Support that the body stands with Somalia. “I look forward to working with you as all strive to maintain peace in our continent in order to provide the security and stability that each and all our countries need to grow and prosper,” he added.
President Farmajo will deliver a key speech about the Somali situation in terms of security, economic recovery and Political progress made in the country so far at the Summit and would meet with African leaders during the Summit which opened today on Sunday and will be concluded tomorrow on Monday, January 29, 2018 On the other hand, Mr. Farmajo met
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Security in Africa
EFCC - Economic Financial Crime Commission
named Nigeria as one of 23 countries which were uncooperative in the international community’s fight against money laundering and anti-terrorism financing, a development which, if left unaddressed, would have far-reaching and irreparable consequences on the country and her citizens both domestically and abroad. Locally, corruption had all but crippled the civil service, and holders of public office administered these as personal fiefdoms and impunity was largely the order of the day. The extent of the damage was such that it threatened the social fabric of the nation, and public confidence in the ability of government to act in the interest of the country as well as of the people waned continually, which encouraged even more lawlessness and brazen plundering of the commonwealth especially by holders of the public trust.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was established by an Act of the Nigerian National Assembly (The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission – Establishment Act, 2004) wherein the Commission was charged with the responsibility for the enforcement of all economic and financial crimes laws among other things. The foregoing was necessitated by a series of developments which caused grave and negative impact to the image of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Without mincing words, Nigeria was being sorely afflicted on all fronts by the scourge of corruption. Internationally, the country laboured under the weight of negative global perceptions, as the view was widely held that corruption was alive and well in Nigeria, with authorities being unable and/or unwilling to make any meaningful effort to counteract the trend. The effect of the global perspective on the national economy was devastating. Foreign direct investment levels dwindled, as investor confidence in Nigeria was near nonexistent. The trend proceeded virtually unchecked until the Financial Action Task Force on Money Laundering (FATF) Page 20
Private industry was not spared as the corruption of the public sector spread and stymied any entrepreneurial spirit, directly undermining the middle class and thus widening the gap between the rich and the poor. Over time, both local and international commentators would be forced at various times to remark sardonically that corruption was the only institution in Nigeria which functioned as it ought to. Against this backdrop was the EFCC established during the tenure of former President Olusegun Obasanjo to undertake the mission of ridding Nigeria of economic and financial crimes, and to effectively coordinate the domestic effort of the global fight against money laundering and terrorist financing. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, an Assistant Commissioner (ACP) of the Nigeria Police Force, was appointed as the Pioneer Chairman (2003 – 2007) of the fledgling agency saddled with the task of confronting headon the scourge of corruption domestically, and thereby contributing directly to rehabilitating the country’s image internationally. This onerous responsibility has been borne by three (3) others in the persons of Assistant Inspector General (Rtd.) Farida M. Waziri (2008 – 2011), who was succeeded by then ACP Ibrahim Laomorde (2012 – 2015), himself succeeded by then ACP Ibrahim Magu – who presently heads the EFCC.
Security in Africa
Ibrahim Mustapha Magu The Chairman, EFCC
Mallam Ibrahim Magu was born in 1962 in Borno State of northern Nigeria. He attended the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University where he attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and an MSc in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. Few individuals are more suited to and accomplished in the field of investigation than Ibrahim Magu as is evidenced by his impressive service record. However, his most relevant qualification may well be the doggedness and fearlessness which characterize his approach to the execution of his office. Under his leadership, the EFCC has set record after record in recoveries of stolen loot by corrupt government officials and their cronies. Furthermore, the Magu-led EFCC has contributed to exposing the staggering levels of looting which took place during previous administrations and as a result Nigerians now, more than ever, have an idea of just how severe the rot of corruption has become and in what way it touches each of us on personal, communal and national levels.
anti-corruption effort. His appointment represents a new era in the fight against graft in Nigeria, and coincides with the cardinal points and principles of the Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government. From his first day on the job, Magu has been vocal about what is at stake in the Nigeria versus corruption saga. He continues to call on the general public to take personal interest in the fight and to view themselves as stakeholders in the effort. He has led and continues to lead by example, and thus has enlisted the support of more and more Nigerians across all segments of the population who are once again hopeful about the future of Nigeria.
This development can be partially, if not directly, attributed to Ibrahim Magu’s embracing of the media as an equally important and effective partner in the Page 21
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