HomeFeatured NewsTunisia: fight against corruption, unfinished work

Tunisia: fight against corruption, unfinished work

Both public and private sectors are now aware that corruption is the greatest obstacle to economic and social development. This phenomenon distorts markets, affects the quality of life and is a breeding ground for organized crime.

In 2011, calls for quality governance, a transparent public sector and corporate integrity echoed across the Arab world and up to Russia and India. They helped boost international organizations and nongovernmental groups and encouraged States in the developing world and developed countries to take concrete steps and additional commitments in favor of open government and fight against corruption.

It is within this context that the Tunisian Center for Corporate Governance (CTGE), the Arab Institute of Business Managers held, Tuesday, February 28, 2012, a round table on the highlights of 2011 in the field of combating corruption in Tunisia, and on the theme: “Fighting Anti-Corruption: Balance of a Year.”

The roundtable, which brought together leading figures in the context of an open and direct debate on this theme, aims to take stock of efforts made since the advent of the revolution to tackle this phenomenon.

One year after the fall of the regime of Ben Ali, there is a political will to recover property misappropriated by the former president and 114 members of the ruling clan. Despite this initiative, the fear of the people continues to worsen due to the absence of a clear vision.

This fact highlights the need for careful thought in order to advance efforts to fight against corruption in this country.

Balance of 2011 in the fight against corruption:

The year 2011 saw the enactment of several laws at the legislative level to cope with it.

Finding: not less than 460 businessmen are banned from leaving Tunisia and 400 judgments for the appointment of administrators.

The Seizure Committee was able a few months after its entry into service to resolve the situation of 117 companies and 233 land titles, in addition to more than 233 cars and 48 yachts.

While recognizing these achievements, the fight against corruption remains a major challenge for all of the Tunisian population. According to the Transparency International report for 2011 on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI), Tunisia was ranked 73rd (out of a total of 183 countries), whereas it was 59th in 2010.

Invited to speak at this roundtable, Abderrahman Ladgham, Minister of Governance and Fight against corruption, highlighted the government’s willingness to fight corruption reflected in a set of reforms and actions that were part of a systematic approach.

“It is time to break with these practices, something that will be made only through the involvement of all concerned sides.” In this context, the Minister said a roadmap has been established, together with a schedule and goals to address them.

For his part, Ahmed Ouerfelli, advisor to the President of the Republic, emphasized the importance of grouping structures in charge of this issue under a well determined authority.

He also pointed to the strategic role of the civil society and media in dealing with issues related to public affairs and the establishment of the values of good governance.

Taoufik Chammari, president of the National Anti-Corruption Network emphasized the importance of preserving the independence of those bodies and associations to break this vicious circle.

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