Africa slow to respond to corruption convention

Fifteen countries have made a binding commitment to implement its provisions, but according to a press release from Transparency International (TI), some 37 other African countries have so far failed to ratify the convention, including Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and Egypt. Applauding the convention, which it says set strong regional standards to practically fight corruption. TI challenges African countries that have sat on the sidelines to demonstrate their commitment to the regional anti-corruption agenda: \'Fifteen ratifications represent less than one-third of the membership of the AU. Ratification must take place in a larger number of countries to truly affirm that African countries are indeed committed to combating the scourge of corruption,\' said Akere Muna, vice-chair of TI\'s international movement. The Convention requires African government officials to declare their assets, adhere to ethical codes of conduct, provide citizens access to government information about budget spending and to protect those who blow the whistle on state fraud. Full Transparency International press release

Fighting entrenched corruption is an especially critical challenge for countries whose democratic reforms hang in the balance. Co-editors of Freedom House\'s study of governance, Countries at the Crossroads, Christopher Walker and Sanja Tatic, write in the Christian Science Monitor that in order to acquire a stronger understanding of the forces at work inhibiting the establishment of democratic governance, the study examines 30 strategically important states around the globe that are struggling to consolidate democratic institutions. These countries – from Armenia to Malaysia to Zimbabwe – are evaluated on four indicators of good governance: accountability and public voice, civil liberties, rule of law, and anti-corruption and transparency. Walker and Tatic say that given the vastness of the problem and the stakes involved for power-holders who benefit from corrupt networks should they lose their position, there is no single, simple solution for tackling this challenge. Western governments, major trans-national institutions, and the international business community will all need to redouble efforts to fight corruption in developing transition states. But they stress that, despite the important role of international institutions, national governments and domestic actors remain indispensable. Full Christian Science Monitor report Countries at the Crossroads study