The African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption will lead African Anti-Corruption Day events convened under the theme “AUCPCC, 20 Years after: Achievements and Prospects”.
About the Event
After many years since its entry into force, and despite the ratification of this Convention by 48 States and the main provisions being transposed into domestic legislation, the scourge of corruption continues to grow on the continent, generating devastating effects on the economy, economic development, social cohesion and political order.
11th July 2023 marks 20 years since the Convention was adopted and it is essential for States Parties to the Convention to reflect on this journey in order to determine what should be next in the coming 20 years so that State Parties have more appropriate strategies to combat the scourge of corruption on the continent.
The celebration of the 20th Anniversary thus aims to encourage States Parties to the Convention to renew their commitments to the effective implementation of the provisions of the Convention, and to reflect on innovations that could facilitate a better functioning of the anti-corruption system for the Africa we want.
The theme of the 20th anniversary will be "AUCPCC, 20 Years After: Achievements and Prospects"
The commemoration will draw attention to the values and principles enshrined in the Convention and facilitate the renewed commitment of stakeholders to the achievement of Aspiration 3 of Agenda 2063, which calls for "An Africa of good governance, democracy, respect for human rights, justice and the rule of law".
Methodology
The event will be held physically in Arusha, Tanzania. The other Member States will celebrate in their respective countries. Celebration activities will be held from 9th to 12th July 2023 as follows;
- 9th July 2023: Anti-Corruption Walk;
- 10th July 2023: Continental Symposium on the theme of the 20th Anniversary;
- 11th July 2023: Official Ceremony commemorating the 20th Anniversary; and
- 12th July 2023: 7th Annual African Anti-Corruption Dialogue on the theme of the 20th
The celebration will be marked by a series of events and activities organized during the period of the celebration: song competitions, poems, workshops, exhibitions, conferences-debates which will focus on the achievements on the implementation of the Convention and the national anti-corruption systems, highlighting good practices and positive examples based on concrete results.
The challenges of eliminating corruption, including issues of illicit financial flows and asset recovery, as well as obstacles to fully domesticating the provisions of the Convention into practice at the national level, will be particularly highlighted.
Get involved
You can participate in the Celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combuting Corruption by:-
- Organizing creative activities in your community to mark 11 July;
- Urging your country to ratify, implement and report on its compliance with the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption;
- Raising awareness on the negative impact of corruption in your community;
- Reporting cases of corruption within your respective Countries to the relevant Anti-Corruption Agencies;
- Promoting anti-corruption champions and publicizing stories of success in fighting corruption;
- Using the communication tools on publications and at events;
- Sending a message to your networks about the campaign;
- Tweeting about the day using the hashtag #AfricaAgainstCorruption and tagging @AUABC_; and
- Committing to an accountable and transparent lifestyle.
Key Messages
The Constitutive Act of the African Union recognizes that freedom, equality, justice, peace and dignity are essential objectives for the achievement of the legitimate aspiration of the African peoples.
Article 3 of the Constitutive Act charges Member States to coordinate and intensify their cooperation, unity, cohesion and efforts to achieve a better life for the peoples of Africa
Corruption undermines accountability and transparency in the management of public affairs as well as socio-economic development on the continent
AUABC is steered by AUCPCC to promote and strengthen the development in Africa by each State Party, of mechanisms required to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in the public and private sectors.
AUABC is guided by AUCPCC to promote, facilitate and regulate cooperation among the State Parties to ensure the effectiveness of measures and actions to prevent, detect, punish and eradicate corruption and related offences in Africa.
Member states party to AUCPCC are required to respect democratic principles and institutions, popular participation, the rule of law and good governance as well as human and peoples’ rights in accordance with the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.
Resource and Reference Materials
Further inquiries should be directed to:
Submit your request to auabcregistry@africa-union.org or
Ms. Doreen Apollos: Information and Communication Directorate: ApollosD@africa-union.org
