Initiatives to reduce corruption in the judiciary in francophone West Africa

This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from the European Commission. The Anti-Corruption Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International and funded by the European Union.

Query

Please provide examples of programmes, projects, and initiatives in French-speaking countries in West Africa that had a significant impact in tackling corruption in the judiciary. How do you leverage the willingness of the judiciary to prosecute cases of corruption?

Note

This answer is also available in French.

Content

1. Overview of corruption in the judiciary in French-speaking West African countries
2. Initiatives to curb corruption in the judiciary in francophone West Africa
3. Political will and prosecution: How to ensure proper prosecution of corruption cases
4. References

Summary

The judiciary is a key pillar of good governance and a necessary element of anti-corruption efforts. Governments, donors, international organisations and civil society are working, together or separately, to address the issue of corruption in the judiciary.

Judicial corruption in francophone West Africa stems from the systematic interference of the other branches of the government and the politicisation of the affairs of the judiciary, combined with a lack of transparency and a distance from users that prevent citizens from holding magistrates to account. The initiatives presented here attempt to reduce corruption by addressing these issues and make the judiciary more transparent, independent and accountable. Social accountability initiatives as well as programmes focussing on the use of technology are featured as they have become increasingly popular methods of measuring accountability and transparency.

Authors

Reviewers

Date

09/05/2014

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