African countries told to ratify convention against corruption

Jul 12, 2017

The Chairperson of Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat made the call and “noted with appreciation that the dedication of a specific African Continent’s fight against corruption marks an important step towards the Africa we want.”

The African Union Commission (AUC) has challenged AU member states that have not ratified the convention against corruption to do so in order to solidify the continent's political commitment towards a corrupt free, citizen-driven, democratically governed Africa.

The Chairperson of Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat made the call and "noted with appreciation that the dedication of a specific African Continent's fight against corruption marks an important step towards the Africa we want."

This was at the inauguration of the African Anti-Corruption Day dedicated to giving prominence to the Anti-Corruption fight on the Continent following an Executive Council decision to declare July 11 of every year as the "African Anti-Corruption Day" to commemorate the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC).

 

 "We need to wage an aggressive fight against those who practice corruption and institutions that benefit from the proceeds of corruption to restore public trust in our institutions on the Continent," he said, according to a press release issued Tuesday.

 To ensure and sustain the level of commitment of combating corruption, the Assembly of the African Union also declared 2018 as "the African Anti-Corruption Year". The year will be celebrated under the theme: ‘Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa's Transformation."

Corruption is undoubtedly the most pressing governance and development challenge that Africa is confronted with today as its debilitating and corrosive effects reverse hard-won developmental gains and threaten progress, stability and development of the Continent.

The African Union first adopted the AUCPCC by the 2nd Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union on July 11, 2003 in Maputo, Mozambique. By ratifying the AUCPCC, all State Parties to this Convention are expected to domesticate their national legislative and policy instruments aimed at combatting corruption.

"The Chairperson urges all Member States of the AU, that have not yet done so, to ratify and accede to the Convention, in order to solidify the continent's political commitment towards a corrupt free, citizen-driven, democratically governed Africa, as envisioned by Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want," the release said.

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