Financial Crime World

Burundi’s Public Finance Management System Faces Challenges

Improving Transparency and Accountability in Burundian Finances

Bujumbura, Burundi - The implementation of a new legislation governing public finances in Burundi has been met with mixed results. While some progress has been made, significant challenges remain.

Overview of the Integrated Public Finance Management System (SIGEFI)

Launched in January 2015, SIGEFI is designed to regularly produce data on revenue and expenditure, making it publicly available. The system is interconnected with all ministries and institutions, ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances.

Ongoing Challenges

  • Lack of Law on Public Access to Information: Despite having a draft law since 2017, Burundi still lacks a law on public access to information.
  • Restrictions on Civil Society Participation: Civil society organizations have been limited in their participation in public decision-making processes due to restrictions and intimidation.
  • Abolition of Ministry responsible for Good Governance: The abolition of the Ministry responsible for Good Governance has hindered the dissemination of national good governance and anti-corruption policy documents.

Concerns with Judicial Independence

  • Practical Challenges: While the Constitution guarantees judicial independence, there are concerns about judges being influenced by hierarchical authorities and political figures.
  • Lack of Implementation of Anti-Money Laundering Law (LBCFT): The country’s Anti-Money Laundering law has been criticized for its lack of implementation, with no guidelines issued on measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.

Recommendations from OLUCOME

  • Popularize National Policies on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption: Make national policies more accessible and widely known.
  • Recreate a Ministerial Institution responsible for Coordinating Efforts: Restore the Ministry responsible for Good Governance to ensure coordination of efforts towards good governance and anti-corruption.
  • Modernize Legal Framework for Preventing Corruption: Update the legal framework to better prevent corruption.

Further Recommendations

  • Ensure Compliance with Constitutional Provisions: Ensure that constitutional provisions enshrining judicial independence are respected in practice.
  • Make Financial Intelligence Unit Operational: Establish a functional Financial Intelligence Unit to combat financial crimes.
  • Improve Partnerships between Government and Civil Society Organizations: Foster stronger relationships between government and civil society organizations to promote transparency and accountability.