MOZAMBIQUE: NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 001653 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS AF/S FOR HTREGER MCC FOR SGAULL NSC FOR CCOURVILLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KCOR PGOV PREL MZ SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE: NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY UNDER DISCUSSION MAPUTO 00001653 001.2 OF 002 Summary -------------- ¶1. (SBU) The Ministry of State Administration presented a draft of Mozambique's National Anti-Corruption Strategy at a December 7 - 9 seminar held in Maputo. The event was designed to build consensus around the anti-corruption strategy and identify challenges in its implementation, and brought together members of the government and representatives from various sectors of civil society to debate the draft plan. Though the seminar was well-attended and received significant press coverage, many observers believe the strategy lacks the necessary focus and detail to be an effective anti-corruption tool. The final version of the strategy is expected to be approved by the GRM in March ¶2006. Further seminars at the provincial level are planned for early next year. End Summary. The Players Get Together -------------- ¶2. (U) The Ministry of State Administration, the government body charged with implementing public sector reform and coordinating the country's anti-corruption strategy, presented its draft of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) at a three-day seminar sponsored jointly by the British Council and the GRM. The event, held from December 7 to 9 in Maputo, was attended by various government ministers, provincial governors, permanent secretaries, political party representatives, religious and community leaders, as well a members of civil society and private sector. The event aimed to build consensus among key players, as well as address the challenges that Mozambique will face in designing and implementing an effective national anti-corruption strategy. The final version of the strategy is expected to be approved by the GRM in March 2006. Further seminars at the provincial level are planned for early next year. ¶3. (U) The recent seminar is one of the final steps in a consultative process on the draft strategy that began nearly two years ago, and which included the preparation and launch of a national survey on public perception of corruption in Mozambique. The final results, which were made public only in part in August, indicated that police and customs were considered the most corrupt public organs. The survey also ;revealed general disillusionment with the Mozambican court system, as well as perceived widespread corruption within the health and education sectors. (Note: The results of the survey were originally to be published by the GRM in September 2004, but were delayed. Some observers believe this step was taken because the negative tone of the report may have significantly damaged the ruling FRELIMO party's image in advance of the December 2004 elections. End note.) The Strategy's Nuts and Bolts... -------------- ¶4. (U) Though the NACS draws loosely on points from the national survey, it is based primarily on the Global Public Sector Reform Strategy (PSRS),which has been under development by the GRM with donor support. The NACS puts forth seven strategic objectives that range from simplification and rationalization of administrative processes to the development of a culture of transparency and public accountability. It also calls for improvements in the operational capacity, efficiency and quality of the justice system, and specifically targets an increase in number of corruption cases tried by the courts as means of discouraging the "culture of impunity" that, according to the strategy, drives corruption in Mozambique. ...And Its Shortcomings -------------- ¶5. (SBU) During the seminar, some members of civil society questioned the strategy's ability to protect citizens who denounce corrupt acts, stating that the current anti-corruption laws does not sufficiently address the issue and that there is no mention of increased "whistle blower" protection in the draft strategy. Others argued that the strategy would not be effective unless it addressed the issue of resources. One individual cited the "conflict of interest" that arises when labor inspectors are forced to get MAPUTO 00001653 002.2 OF 002 rides to inspection sites from the owners of the respective companies, since the inspectors themselves have no means of transportation. ¶6. (SBU) During a December 14 donor meeting, members of the G18 outlined other areas in the draft strategy that they believe require additional definition, including conflict of interest, financial management reform, and declaration of assets. (Note: According to the local press, Minister of State Administration Lucas Chomera gave no indication that the strategy would address the issue of asset disclosure among high-ranking government officials, which is considered a key aspect in fighting corruption. At present, such declarations are simply deposited with the Constitutional Council. They are not made public unless the official chooses to do so. To date, Minister of Finance Manuel Chang is the only senior official to publicly disclose his assets. End Note.) Comment -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Although some observers believe that the GRM's high-level participation in the strategy seminar is evidence of political will to fight corruption, others are skeptical that the GRM will actually incorporate recommendations made on key aspects deemed necessary for the draft to become a truly effective anti-corruption tool. Though the seminar was well-attended and received significant press coverage, some observers reported that the tone of discussions was unenthusiastic. End Comment. Dudley