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Chad’s Corruption Landscape: A Systemic Problem

Location, Date - In a shocking revelation, Chad has been found to have a pervasive corruption problem that affects almost every aspect of its governance. The country’s anti-corruption efforts are hindered by weak enforcement mechanisms, lack of transparency, and political interference.

Report Highlights Corruption Concerns

According to a report by the Organisation Tchadienne Anti-Corruption (OTAC), the Chadian government often uses public funds to support political parties and opposition groups, creating a culture of patronage and cronyism. The payment of campaign expenses is also marred by irregularities, with some opposition parties taking years to receive reimbursement.

Areas of Concern

The report highlights several areas of concern, including:

  • Codes of conduct
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Asset declarations
  • Whistleblower protection
  • Public procurement
  • Management of public finances
  • Access to information
  • Civil society participation
  • Judiciary and prosecution services
  • Anti-money laundering
  • Asset recovery

Lack of Transparency in Public Finance Management

One of the most significant issues is the lack of transparency in public finance management. Despite measures aimed at promoting transparency, such as laws on good governance and public procurement, the government’s handling of public funds remains opaque and informal.

Whistleblower Protection and Judiciary Concerns

The report also notes that whistleblower protection is non-existent in Chad, with whistleblowers often facing intimidation and prosecution instead of being protected. The judiciary is another area of concern, with judges involved in corruption cases having close ties to the political process, compromising their independence.

Asset Recovery Challenges

In terms of asset recovery, Chad has set up several bodies specializing in economic and financial investigations, including the Agence Nationale d’Investigations Financières (ANIF) and a specialized anti-terrorism and anti-corruption unit within the Ministry. However, the country’s ability to recover assets is hindered by political interference and lack of authority.

Recommendations

The OTAC report makes several key recommendations to the Chadian authorities, including:

  • Strengthen interaction and exchanges between the government and civil society organizations on issues related to anti-corruption, anti-money laundering and organized crime policy.
  • Adopt a code of conduct and ethics for the civil service, providing clear principles and minimum standards to minimize the risk of corruption and prevent conflicts of interest.
  • Promote the setting up of focal points within state structures to monitor their management.
  • Create an information unit for relevant stakeholders on the management of subsidies granted to the State.
  • Apply, without restriction, the provisions of the Penal Code relating to corruption, bribery and influence peddling in all areas.
  • Ensure greater justice and equity in access to public services.
  • Combat corruption in the public and private sectors by introducing a priori monitoring and evaluation.
  • Interact efficiently with all stakeholders: authorities, private sector, technical and financial partners, UN organizations, European Union, African Union, religious leaders, traditional community leaders, young people, women and civil servants.
  • Improve public governance to enable the population to benefit from the positive effects of public policies.
  • Strengthen the capacities of the Audit Office.

Conclusion

The Chadian government must take immediate action to address these systemic issues and implement effective anti-corruption measures to restore trust in its institutions and promote transparency and accountability.