Burundi Fails to Implement Anti-Corruption Measures, Review Finds

Kigali, Rwanda - A Recent Review of Burundi’s Anti-Corruption Efforts Reveals Key Shortcomings

A recent review by a team of international experts has found that Burundi is failing to implement key measures to prevent money laundering and combat corruption. The review highlighted several areas where the country needs to improve.

Lack of Implementation of Laws Aimed at Preventing Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

The National Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) in Burundi was established seven years ago, but it has yet to become operational. This creates a void in the country’s anti-money laundering efforts. The review team expressed concern that financial institutions in Burundi lack specific regulations for electronic fund transfers and client identification, making it easier for corrupt individuals to launder money.

Lack of Transparency in Public Administration and Absence of Measures to Prevent Corruption in the Hiring Process

The review also found that there is a lack of transparency in public administration and no measures in place to prevent corruption in the hiring process. This creates an environment conducive to corruption and undermines efforts to combat it.

Recommendations for Improvement

The review team made several recommendations to Burundi, including:

• Adopting a National Policy on Good Governance and Anti-Corruption: Burundi needs to adopt a national policy that promotes transparency and accountability.
• Strengthening Awareness-Raising and Education Campaigns for the Public: The government should launch awareness-raising and education campaigns to inform the public about the importance of good governance and anti-corruption efforts.
• Granting Independence to the Body Responsible for Preventing Corruption: Burundi’s anti-corruption body needs to be granted independence to effectively prevent corruption.
• Promoting Education and Training Programs for Public Officials: The government should promote education and training programs for public officials to enhance their integrity and ethical standards.
• Encouraging Integrity among Public Officials and Employees: The government should encourage integrity among public officials and employees by promoting a culture of accountability and transparency.

Conclusion

The review was conducted under the auspices of the Committee of Experts of the Follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Ouagadougou Declaration and the Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption. Burundi needs to strengthen its anti-corruption efforts by implementing these recommendations to effectively prevent money laundering and combat corruption.

Source: CAC/COSP/IRG/2019/CRP.17, V.19 -11575