Nairobi, Kenya 21 – 22 November 2019: The fight against corruption is a key element of the African initiatives to eradicate poverty and to put African countries on a path of sustainable growth and development. The African Charter on the Values and Principles of the Public Service and Administration (Hereinafter “the African Charter) has defined a broad framework to strengthen integrity systems within the African public administration. The domestication and implementation of the African Charter is therefore an important plank in the overall mix of interventions to fight corruption and achieve the ideals of good governance in the African Public Administration.

It is within this continental efforts and craving for good governance that the Department of Political Affairs convenes the two-day consultation to discuss and identify the challenges in the fight against corruption and opportunities which, if fully exploited, could result in the substantial reduction of corruption and consequently achieve good governance that leads to capable developmental states in Africa.

The specific objectives of the regional Seminar are to:

• Identify the common causes, enablers or risk factors of corruption in the Central Africa public Administration;
• Ascertain existing challenges in integrating the provisions of the African Charter on fighting corruption in Public Service;
• discuss the strategies for strengthening and consolidating efforts to fight the scourge of corruption in Public administration in the region more specifically by law enforcement agencies;

In his Welcome remarks, Dr. George Scott, Secretary General AAPAM, welcomed all the delegates to the workshop noting that the seminar had enlisted the participation of senior government officials and experts across the Eastern Africa Region and beyond. He noted that corruption remained a major problem worldwide despite actions taken to curb it, pointing that it is worse in Africa. He further decried that the 2018 World Corruption Index list has all the 20 bottom countries in Africa and none of the countries at the top is from Africa. Over the past decade, various anti-corruption movements have been gaining momentum, with the consensus amongst governments, donors, civil society organizations, the public and private sectors. He highlighted that corruption is a major disease that has to be dealt with if sustainable development is to succeed. Urging the member states to deliberate and come up with a lasting solution to the corruption menace, he reiterated AAPAM’s commitment in building the capacity of the Corporate and public institutions, NGOs and civil societies in combating corruption.

He also indicated that AAPAM has in the past years fostered partnership with countries including the youth through trainings and scholarships to capacity build them in preparation for a corruption free leadership. Lastly, he encouraged all the delegates to actively participate in the deliberations to enable them envisage the best way forward.

In his Remarks, Mr. Issaka Garba Abdou, Senior Political Officer for Public service and Anti Corruption, Representing HE. Mrs. Minata Samate Cessouma, Commissioner for Political Affairs (AUC) expressed gratitude to the Government of Kenya and AAPAM for co-hosting the workshop. He quotes the Objective 12 of Aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063 of the African Union which envisions ‘’Professional, effective, accountable, impartial and without corruption ". Mr. Issaka then called on the African public service to behave ethically and to show responsibility and transparency. For him, the adoption of the charter is fundamental in improving the quality of public service provision for the benefit of African populations. But for it to be effective, he said, it must be implemented. He concluded by inviting participants to share successful experience for good capacity building. Finally, He wish to all participants a fruitful consultation.

In his Opening Remarks, Commissioner Titus Ndambuki on behalf of the Prof Margaret Kobia, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs, Republic of Kenya, reiterated the importance of the seminar, thanking AAPAM and the AU for their support in organizing the workshop. He emphasized on the evils of corruption on the society at large, noting that it always had a negative impact on all the facets of the economy. He noted that despite the efforts already put in place by the governments who have embraced the African Charters, corruptions still thrives and permeates all the sectors. He further highlighted the threats posed by corruption on development of any country. He implored the participants to:

• Identify the common causes and enablers of corruption;
• Ascertain and comprehensively address the challenges facing the fight against corruption;
• Discuss the possibilities of wedging war against corruption

He further noted that the private sector is very instrumental in the public sector’s fight against corruption and must therefore be enlisted. The common mantra “corruption fights back” is no longer acceptable as change must be treated as inevitable. He said that this workshop is called upon to deliberate and come up with fruitful outcomes towards the fight against corruption. He then declared the workshop officially open.

For further inquiry, please contact:

Mr. Issaka Garba Abdou, Senior Political officer/Coordinator of the STC8 Secretariat, Department of Political Affairs, African Union Commission; garbaabdoui@africa-union.org;Tel: +251115182611.
Mr. Tankou Azaa Esther, Head of Division; Directorate of Information and Communication; AU Commission. molalett@africa-union.org; Tel: 0911 630631.
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@africa-union.org I Web Site: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia