The following article presents a recent initiative of the Agency for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption (APLC) in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The agency calls for the creation of a special anti-corruption law in order to fight effectively against acts of embezzlement of public funds.
Beny-Laure Kamwiziku, deputy coordinator in charge of detection, prevention and administration of the APLC, pointed out during a panel on the fight against corruption that the country’s current criminal law does not fully take into account certain essential aspects of this struggle. According to her, this weakens efforts to prevent and repress acts of corruption. Thus, the agency is actively campaigning in favor of a specific law dedicated to the fight against corruption.
One of the main shortcomings noted by the APLC concerns the existence of a category of people considered untouchable, benefiting from certain immunities which protect them from legal proceedings. Within the framework of the special anti-corruption law that it wishes to promote, the agency intends to put an end to this impunity by allowing the prosecution of any person accused of corruption, whatever their position or status.
In addition, the APLC wishes that the offense of corruption be declared imprescriptible in this future law. This means that the perpetrators of acts of corruption could be prosecuted at any time, without limitation of time, thus reinforcing the deterrence and sanction of reprehensible behavior.
The economic benefits of the actions of the APLC are also underlined, with in particular the recovery of more than 300 million US dollars from the Public Treasury thanks to its missions in the provinces, as well as the identification of more than 150 looted public real estate. Steps are underway to return these assets to the Congolese state.
The panel on the fight against corruption brought together, in addition to representatives of the APLC, members of the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF) and the National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENAREF). The opportunity for the actors involved to discuss the challenges and perspectives of the fight against corruption in the DRC.
It is important to emphasize that the Democratic Republic of Congo is still far from achieving satisfactory results in the fight against corruption. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index compiled by Transparency International, the country ranks 166th out of 180, with a score of only 20 out of 100. However, the actions of the APLC and the will to put in place a specific anti-corruption law bear witness to progress in the fight against this scourge.
In conclusion, the mobilization of the Agency for the Prevention and Fight against Corruption in favor of a special anti-corruption law represents an important step in the fight against this major problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo.. By strengthening legal mechanisms and eliminating impunity, it is hoped that corruption will be better combated, thus enabling more equitable economic and social development for all Congolese.