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
Please provide an overview of corruption and anti-corruption in Niger, with a specific focus on police corruption.
Purpose
We are looking for some guidance on engaging in Niger, from a donor perspective. We are working in the country already and are now readjusting/developing new some measures, and would like to include more targeted, specific anticorruption elements.
Content
- Overview of corruption in Niger
- Corruption in police and security forces
- Governance structures and anti-corruption efforts in Niger
- References
Summary
In a context of political instability and weak institutions, most international governance indicators point to systemic levels of corruption permeating all levels of society in Niger, although in practice, firms and citizens report significant less experience of corruption than other countries in the region. Corruption takes many forms, ranging from petty and bureaucratic corruption to grand and political corruption. Lack of training and resources and petty corruption affecting the police and security forces are important areas of concerns, undermining domestic stability in a context of volatile security.
The Issoufou government is largely credited to be committed to address widespread corruption challenges as a priority. New anticorruption institutions have been set up, a dedicated telephone hotline has been created to report allegations of corruption and the 2010 constitutions provides for the declaration of personal assets by government officials and greater transparency in natural resource management. However, the credibility of this commitment has recently come under question by recent developments, including the purchase of a luxurious government jet and persistent allegations of corruption against high-ranking government ministers.
Authors
Marie Chêne, [email protected]
Reviewers
Roberto Kukutschka, [email protected]
Date
08/03/2017
