The Role of CSOs in the UNCAC its

The Role of CSOs in the UNCAC & its Implementation Review Mechanism by Reyneck Matemba Anti-Corruption Bureau MALAWI Saly, Senegal, 8 th – 11 th May, 2018 1

Outline of Presentation • • Background ACB’s mandate ACB’s engagement with CSOs Good practices in involving CSOs in the fight against corruption • Measures taken by Government (ACB) after 1 st cycle review • Good practices & Lessons learnt in the 1 st cycle 2

Background • ACB is a Government Department • Established under section 4 of the Corrupt Practices Act • To promote principles of democracy i. e. good governance through promotion of accountability, transparency and financial probity in both public and private institutions 3

ACB’S Mandate (3 -prolonged Approach) APPROACH • Overview of Major Activities Corruption Prevention Section Public Education section • Review of Systems & Procedures • Development of Corruption Prevention instruments • Monitoring of Government Programs • Sensitization activities • Public Rallies • Anti-Corruption Clubs • National Anti-Corruption Day Investigations & Prosecution • Investigations of suspected Corrupt Practices • Prosecution of suspected Corrupt Practices

ACB’s Engagement with CSOs • CSOs form one of the eight pillars identified in our National Anti. Corruption Strategy as very critical in the fight against corruption • ACB has entered into a number of Mo. Us with several CSOs, especially those whose mandate relates to rule of law and governance 5

ACB’s Engagement with CSOs (cont/…) • ACB takes on board CSOs in the implementation of our anti-corruption activities • Implementation of joint projects • Engage (consult) CSOs in the formulation and review of anticorruption legislation, policies and strategies (i. e. stakeholder consultations) 6

Good practices in involving CSOs in the fight against corruption • CSOs play a watchdog role in the fight against corruption (i. e. demanding transparency in Government’s implementation of projects, and accountability in the expenditure of public resources - checks and balances). • CSOs lobby for the enforcement or fulfillment of Government’s obligations under international legal instruments (e. g. under the UNCAC) 7

Good practices in involving CSOs in the fight against corruption (cont/…) • CSOs lobby for the amendment of anti-corruption legislation and implementation of other anticorruption measures • CSOs demand fight for the independence of oversight and governance institutions (ACB, DPP, Auditor General, FIA, etc) 8

Measures taken by Government (ACB) after first cycle review • Establishment of an asset recovery unit (for ACB & DPP) • Enactment of a new money laundering law (i. e. the Financial Crimes Act, replacing the MLPC&TL Act) • Establishment of a Forensics Investigation Laboratory in the ACB • Trained more officers in money laundering and forensics investigations 9

Good practices & Lessons learnt in the 1 st cycle • Need to involve CSOs in all the stages of the review process • Sharing of information, collaboration/ coordination between ACB and CSOs in the review process brings transparency in the review process 10

Good practices & Lessons learnt in the 1 st cycle (cont/…) • CSOs involvement in the review process ensures credibility of the product (i. e. Country Report) • CSOs involvement ensures ownership of the Country Report 11

Thank You For Your Attention 12