Financial Crime World

Highest Authorities Urge Improvement of Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Regime

Kigali, April 26, 2012

The highest authorities in Niger have been urged to take concrete steps to improve the country’s anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CFT) regime. This comes after a recent report showed significant progress made by the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) region’s financial intelligence unit, GIABA.

Progress Made

Niger has established the Haute Autorité de Lutte contre la Corruption et les Infractions Assimilées (HALCIA), which has led to several high-profile arrests and detentions for allegedly smuggling goods. The Justice Ministry has also set up a hotline to report corruption cases, and eight complaints have been lodged against MPs facing corruption charges.

In terms of counter-terrorist financing, a central service has been established at the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance, while a terrorism prevention and CTF unit has been set up within the judicial system. The country has also revived its National Counter Terrorism Committee at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was initially set up in 2010.

AML/CFT Progress

Regarding AML/CFT specifically, Niger’s CFT law is compliant with WAEMU community law. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) now enjoys better working conditions, including more money, appropriate premises and equipment, and stipends for its workers. The unit has also revised its rules and regulations to strengthen its structure.

The FIU signed agreements with Ghana’s FIC and Gabon’s FIU in 2012 and conducted study tours to foreign FIUs, including TRACFIN (France), CTIF (Belgium), Senegal FIU, Côte d’Ivoire FIU, and Ghana’s FIC. The unit has also organized working sessions with GIABA Secretariat and UNODC.

Technical Assistance

GIABA has recruited a financial analyst for the FIU of Niger for one year and sponsored newly appointed members of the FIU to a study tour to Belgium. However, it is crucial to take account of the country’s organized crime situation in determining its technical assistance needs, which include:

  • Restoring confidence of banks and other reporting entities in the confidentiality of reports
  • Training programs for all subject persons, especially reporting entities
  • Conducting specific training exercises for investigation and prosecution authorities
  • Organizing a consultative meeting on manual currency exchange issues
  • Raising awareness of local communities
  • Providing top-quality technical materials to the FIU
  • Organizing an international forum on the financing of terrorism
  • Organizing study trips and facilitating cooperation arrangements with other FIUs

Conclusion

Niger faces significant challenges, including geopolitical instability and porous borders that facilitate the transfer of weapons and illicit substances. Therefore, it is essential for all social groups to work together to tackle organized crime effectively. This involves the security services, judges, and AML/CFT entities. The country must sustain its momentum for compliance with international standards by implementing the recommendations in its Mutual Evaluation Report and providing sufficient office accommodation to its CENTIF.