This Anti-Corruption Helpdesk brief was produced in response to a query from a U4 Partner Agency. The U4 Helpdesk is operated by Transparency International in collaboration with the U4 Anti-Corruption Resource Centre based at the Chr. Michelsen Institute.
Query
What are the lessons leaned in fighting corruption in post-conflict countries?
Purpose
This will help inform our strategy for Afghanistan.
Content
1. Corruption challenges in post-conflict countries
2. Lessons learnt in addressing corruption in post conflict countries
3. References
Summary
Anti-corruption interventions face a specific set of challenges in post-conflict settings. Countries emerging from conflict are often characterised by endemic corruption, low state legitimacy, low state capacity, weak rule of law, wavering levels of political will and high levels of insecurity. Corruption opportunities abound in such context, through the combination of weak institutions and governance structures, low absorption capacity, donors’ pressure to disburse and massive inflows of foreign aid. In the absence of practical guidance and documented evidence of best practices, donors need to develop an understanding of the local context as well as how to fight corruption in a given context and at different stages of the state-building process to design anticorruption interventions that will not jeopardise the fragile peace-building process.
Authors
Marie Chene, Transparency International, [email protected], with input from Karen HussmanReviewers
Robin Hodess, Ph.D., Transparency International, [email protected]Date
17/12/2012
