African Anti-Corruption Dialogue - 2021 : “Regional Economic Communities: Critical Actors in the Implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing

Tackling corruption and its impact remains a challenge to the continent as it threatens the realization of sustainable development, inclusive growth and good governance, which are fundamental in the achievement of the aspirations under Agenda 2063. Recognizing the role Regional Economic Communities (RECs) and their constituents play in fighting corruption, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) in Article 19(4) obligates States Parties to work closely with international, regional and sub-regional financial organizations to eradicate corruption in development aid and cooperation programmes.

Further, the Convention recognizes that though the primary responsibility of tackling corruption rests with individual states, sub-regional frameworks are also necessary to address the scourge of corruption and Article 19(2) of the AUCPCC requires States Parties to foster regional, continental and international cooperation to prevent corrupt practices in international trade transactions.

The ongoing African Union Institutional Reforms recognize the need to establish an effective division of labour and collaboration between the African Union, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), Member States and Continental Organizations. Considering principles of subsidiarity and comparative advantage in particular, the AU encouraged AU organs and RECs to harmonize their policies and strengthen collaboration.

In complying with this directive, the AUABC has dedicated its work in 2021 to promoting stronger collaboration as well as harmonization of efforts among and with the Regional Economic Communities through enhanced cooperation and promoting synergies around anti-corruption interventions on the continent. The 2021 African Anti-Corruption Dialogue therefore is being convened under the theme: “Regional Economic Communities: Critical Actors in the Implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.”

The reflections will facilitate the identification and dissemination of the challenges, good practices and the progress made in the Regional Economic Communities in the fight against corruption. This will particularly focus on the implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) that was adopted in Maputo, Mozambique on 11 July 2003 and came into force in 2006. To date, the Convention has been ratified by 45 Member States of the African Union. Since adoption of the Convention, African states have made significant strides in the fight against corruption including the enactment of national laws and the creation of anti-corruption agencies.

While the primary responsibility of tackling corruption rests with individual states, sub-regional frameworks are also necessary to address the scourge of corruption. The AUCPCC requires States Parties to foster regional, continental and international cooperation to prevent corrupt practices. The reflections will facilitate means on how to deepen the engagement on anticorruption interventions. The Day will provide a platform to highlight the importance of synergies and stronger collaboration between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and States Parties as well as key stakeholders on the anti-corruption landscape including civil society, media and international organizations in the fight against corruption on the Continent.

The goal of the event is to give prominence to the fight against corruption through the commemoration of the adoption of the AUCPCC as a mechanism for fighting corruption in Africa.

The significance of the convening of the African Anti-Corruption Dialogue under the theme “Regional Economic Communities: Critical Actors in the Implementation of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption”, is to give prominence to, among others;

1. RECs play an important role in facilitating candid, constructive dialogue and exchanges of best practices and progress on the fight against corruption within and among regions, and progress on domestication of legislation such as AUCPCC.
2. As Africa trades under the African Continental Free Trade Area, corrupt practices can repulse potential investors, close collaboration between national and regional actors must be strengthened including with civil societies, media, private sector and citizenry.
3. National anticorruption authorities are building blocks to anticorruption efforts within RECs.
4. Alignment and synergy between National Anti-Corruption Authorities (NACAs), RECs and AUCPCC is crucial in fighting corruption and is a catalyst to the achievement of Agenda 2063.
5. RECs play an important role in encouraging a culture of corporate transparency, accountability, and integrity especially in multinational corporations.
6. RECs play a crucial role in advocating, monitoring and evaluating good governance practices within their regions.

The 2021 Anti-Corruption Dialogue will provide a platform to highlight the significance of synergies and stronger collaboration between the African Union, the Regional Economic Communities and States Parties as well as key stakeholders on the anti-corruption landscape including civil society, media and International Organizations.

The Dialogue will bring together the representatives of Member States, International Organizations, National Anti-Corruption Agencies, Civil Society, Academia and other actors.

The Specific objectives of the Dialogue shall be to:-

1. Highlight the state of play of Anti-corruption efforts at the Regional Economic Community level in Africa;
2. To highlight the REC’s instruments (frameworks, policies and laws) adopted to promote the fight against corruption;
3. To identify best practices at RECs levels that are contributing to the fight against corruption within the RECs;
4. To increase the awareness of the African Anti-Corruption Day/Dialogue; and
5. To engage and forge deeper relationships with AUABC, the RECs, National Anti-Corruption Authorities, Civil Society and other key national actors

The expected outcomes of the Dialogue are:-

1. A deepened engagement between RECs, the National Anti-Corruption Authorities, Civil Society Organizations around anti-corruption interventions;
2. Recommendations and strategies to be submitted for consideration by the policy organs of the African Union and other relevant actors.

Do you want to get involved in the fight against corruption in Africa, here are a few things you could do;

1. Organizing creative activities in your community to rally support for more actions in the fight against corruption;
2. Urging your country to ratify, implement and report on its compliance with the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption;
3. Raising awareness on the negative impact of corruption in your community;
4. Reporting cases of corruption within your respective Countries to the relevant Anti-Corruption Agencies;
5. Promoting anti-corruption champions and publicizing stories of success in fighting
6. corruption;
7. Using the communication tools on publications and at events. You can use the hashtag #AfricaAgainstCorruption and tag @AUABC_;
8. Committing to an accountable and transparent lifestyle.

Due to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 Pandemic, all activities will be conducted virtually and online platforms. The activities include:

1. Launch of the Engagement Strategy between the RECs and the AUABC;
2. Series of Webinars and Panel Discussions;
3. Convening of the Third African Anti-Corruption Non-State Actors Forum on the margins of the Dialogue; and
4. Presentation of the outcomes of research on the State of Play between RECs and National Anti-Corruption Authorities.

Simultaneous interpretation shall be provided in Arabic, English, French and Portuguese

• African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption
• Governance Treaties
• Assembly Special Declaration on Illicit Financial Flows
• 2018 as the African Anti-Corruption Year
• Nouakchott Declaration on the African Anti-Corruption Year
• The draft Common African Position on Asset Recovery

Find the Zoom link to the Anti-corruption Dialogues.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/95392996295?pwd=WVZXREs2WEpYVzVHSkEyUUxkQ05GZz09

Meeting ID: 953 9299 6295
Passcode: AUABC2021