Financial Crime World

Gambian Authorities Urged to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Efforts

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A recent report by Public-Private Integrity has highlighted several areas where Gambian authorities can improve their efforts to combat money laundering and corruption. The report provides a comprehensive review of the country’s anti-corruption measures and recommends key steps for improvement.

Challenges in Combating Money Laundering and Corruption

While The Gambia has made progress in implementing anti-money laundering (AML) and combating the financing of terrorism (CFT) measures, there are still significant challenges to be addressed. For example:

  • The Serious Crime Unit and the Financial Intelligence Unit (GFIU) operate separately, with limited information sharing between them.
  • There is a lack of transparency in the sale of assets seized by the Janneh Commission, which investigated corruption during the previous government.

Recommendations for Improvement

To improve the country’s anti-corruption efforts, the report recommends that the government:

Establishing Anti-Corruption Institutions and Policies

Conducting Corruption Risk Assessments

Improving Public Service Performance

Extending the Ombudsman’s Mandate

Increasing Transparency

Defining and Identifying Public Sector Entities

Disclosing Government Financial Relationships

Recommendations for Strengthening International Cooperation

The report also recommends that the government:

  • Conclude bilateral or multilateral agreements to improve international cooperation in relation to extradition, mutual legal assistance, transfer of sentenced persons, and law enforcement cooperation.
  • Implement FATF Recommendation 25 on Transparency and Beneficial Ownership of Legal Arrangements.

Conclusion

The Public-Private Integrity network is a global civil society network promoting the implementation and monitoring of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of strengthening anti-corruption efforts to combat money laundering and corruption in The Gambia.