Gabon’s National Commission against Illicit Enrichment and ECA step up Anti-Corruption efforts
With the personal commitment of President AliBongo Ondimba, Head of State of the Republic of Gabon, an unprecedented fight has just been launched against corruption in Central Africa thanks to the combined efforts of the ECA and the CNLCEI.
In the presence, today, of Prime Minister, Professor Daniel Ona Ondo, the second Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Keeper of the Seals of the Republic of Gabon - Mr. Séraphin Moundounga, conveyed the encouragement of President Bongo to experts participating in the workshop to launch the Network of National Anti-Corruption Institutions in Central Africa (RINAC).
"The criminal activity that takes advantage of the fungibility of borders, compounded by technological developments, has become a multifaceted security threat whose tentacles cannot be checked and eradicated with the isolated actions of each State" Mr. Séraphin Moundounga argued. Consequently, he expressed satisfaction that with the "networking of national anti-corruption institutions in the Central African sub-region, deviants can be better handicapped thanks to synergies that you will establish".
Meanwhile the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System in Gabon, Mrs Marie-Evelyne Petrus Barry, took the floor and, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the ECA, Mr Carlos Lopes, thanked the Gabonese Head of State for accepting to host the said workshop. She then went ahead to commend the "resolute commitment of the Gabonese Republic to combat corruption and money laundering within the framework of its efforts to promote good governance and inclusive human development to the benefit of all Gabonese men and women".
The Deputy Secretary General of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), - Mrs. Clotilde NIZIGAMA, commended the commitment of Gabon, current ECCAS Chair, in the community activities common to countries of the sub-region, as well as the participation of ECA in this effort. "The action of the Network and the attendant cooperation obligation will have the added advantage of instilling lasting fear among delinquents".
For three days, experts from Central African countries, ECA, the CEMAC Commission, the ECCAS Secretariat General, the African Union, ADB, UNDP, the World Bank and other partner institutions will examine and validate several documents, including RINAC’s first three-year plan of action. The plan will cover the period 2015-2017 and will focus on achieving visibility for the Network, establishing its credibility and developing its institutions.
Khephren FANGA