A global coalition against corruption, Transparency International, has called on African states to address corruption in the delivery of basic services.
According to the group, corruption in basic service delivery tends to mostly affect the poorest of citizens who depend on these public services. It indicated that corruption particularly disadvantages persons living with disabilities, women and children.
Additionally, the Coalition revealed that corruption in land management systems “exacerbates inequalities by violating the fundamental rights of local communities”, particularly vulnerable groups.
“[We] enjoin African states to address corruption in the delivery of basic services especially housing, water, sanitation, education, health, humanitarian responses and judicial systems.”
Transparency International
Transparency International expressed the need to urgently remind African leaders of their 2018 call to the AU to among other things promote transparency and accountability in the delivery of basic services, land administration systems and justice systems and end impunity for those convicted of corrupt practices. It equally emphasized the need to create mechanisms to collect citizens’ complaints “and strengthen whistle-blower protection”, notably through the adoption of appropriate legislation in accordance with international standards.
“[We] hereby jointly with other partners reaffirm our commitment to work with the AU through the distinguished African Union Advisory Board against Corruption, the African Governance Architecture and other Organs related thereto, and most especially work with the anti-corruption agencies in our various Member States to eliminate corruption from the daily lives of African citizens.”
Transparency International
Ratified African states on African charter
Contained in a statement, the coalition commended the 36 Member States of the AU that have ratified the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance. It further urged the remaining 19 Member States to take swift measures to ratify this important African treaty.
Nonetheless, it noted with great concern that “corruption is and remains a significant threat to democracy and democratic” institutions and poses a significant hindrance to African States in realising Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
The impact of corruption on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, the group stated, including the necessary resources, vaccines and personnel, is visible and cannot be ignored given its effect on the most vulnerable, poor and marginalised people.
Transparency International however, emphasized the “commendable leadership and coordination of African institutions like the Africa Centres for Disease Control (CDC) in rallying regional resources for the continent to address COVID-19 and forestall a potentially disastrous outcome from this and other humanitarian crises”.
The coalition group expressed its resolve to collaborate with the AU in calling for reforms to the global financial architecture. It recognised the establishment of the Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial flows in a bid to strengthen resource mobilisation and to curb losses and wastages on the continent.
“[We] call on the AU to accelerate the completion, roll-out and implementation of the Tax and Illicit Financial Flows Strategy. The strategy that is being developed will effectively position the continent to instigate global reforms on an inclusive tax treaty and increase the resources available in a post-pandemic era.”
Transparency International
Meanwhile, the group has reminded African leaders of their 2016 call on governments to disclose beneficial ownership information as a way of ending the secrecy that enables corruption. By this, it indicated that African leaders must among other things, publish timelines for establishing public registers, in open data format, containing beneficial ownership information.
