Payment to Radical Opposition Parties Often Subject to Conditions
In a shocking revelation, it has been uncovered that payment for campaign expenses in Chad is often plagued by conditions. Two opposition parties with more than 10% of the vote share in the 2016 presidential elections were not reimbursed until the 2021 elections.
Weak Enforcement of Codes of Conduct
The Chadian government has incorporated provisions such as Law 17 on the general status of the civil service into its legal framework, requiring senior officials to declare their assets at the beginning and end of their term. However, enforcement is weak, with conflicts of interest rampant among public servants and asset declarations not made publicly available.
Key Challenges
- Weak enforcement of codes of conduct
- Conflicts of interest among public servants
- Lack of transparency in asset declarations
Non-Existent Whistleblower Protection
Chad lacks a formal written policy for protecting whistleblowers, leaving them vulnerable to intimidation and influence peddling. The government’s attempts to establish anonymous reporting mechanisms have yielded little results, as whistleblowers are often subjected to threats and prosecution.
Consequences
- Whistleblowers are vulnerable to intimidation and influence peddling
- Lack of trust in the system, leading to a culture of silence
Public Procurement and Financial Management
The country has two bodies overseeing public procurement procedures, but awarding contracts is often done through mutual agreements rather than following established standards and criteria. Despite measures aimed at promoting transparency in public finance management, practices remain informal and opaque.
Challenges
- Lack of transparency in public procurement
- Informal practices in public finance management
- Limited resources for oversight bodies
Access to Information and Civil Society Participation
Government departments frequently refuse to release information, citing sensitivity concerns. Civil society organizations face significant obstacles, including restrictive anti-terrorism laws, limited resources, and lack of access to information.
Barriers to Access
- Restrictions on freedom of information
- Limited resources for civil society organizations
- Lack of transparency in government decision-making
Judicial System
While the principle of judicial independence is enshrined in law, judges involved in corruption cases are often tied to government officials, compromising their impartiality.
Consequences
- Compromised impartiality of judges
- Lack of trust in the justice system
- Limited effective enforcement of anti-corruption laws
International Cooperation
Chad has established several bodies focused on economic and financial investigations, including INTERPOL, which pools information from 17 French-speaking African countries. However, the country’s ability to recover assets is hindered by political interference and lack of resources.
Challenges
- Political interference in anti-corruption efforts
- Limited resources for investigation and recovery
- Lack of cooperation between government agencies
Key Recommendations
The Organisation Tchadienne Anti-Corruption (OTAC) has issued a report with several recommendations for the Chadian authorities, including:
- Strengthening interaction between government and civil society organizations
- Adopting a code of conduct and ethics for the civil service
- Creating focal points within state structures to monitor management
- Ensuring greater justice and equity in access to public services
- Combating corruption through priori monitoring and evaluation
Implementation is Crucial
The implementation of these recommendations is crucial to effectively combating corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability in Chad.