NACIWA 6th AGA Communique

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 6TH ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE NETWORK OF ANTI-CORRUPTION INSTITUTIONS IN WEST AFRICA(NACIWA)

Theme: “Implementing the ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight Against Corruption towards Strengthening Institutions for Regional Unity”

Date: 19th-21st August 2024

Venue: ECOWAS Secretariat,

Abuja, Nigeria.

The Network of Anti-corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) held its 6th Annual General Assembly (AGA) from 19th to 21st August 2024 at the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja, Nigeria. The Assembly was conducted in a hybrid format, allowing physical and virtual participation from member institutions across the ECOWAS region.

Recalling the establishment of NACIWA as a regional, secular, and apolitical association of public institutions dedicated to strengthening synergy and sharing best practices in anti-corruption efforts within ECOWAS,

Reaffirming its unwavering commitment to the ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight Against Corruption and other relevant international and regional instruments,

Acknowledging the progress made by NACIWA and its member institutions in advancing the anti-corruption agenda across the ECOWAS region,

Recognizing the ongoing challenges in fully implementing the ECOWAS Protocol on the Fight against Corruption, including resource limitations and the complexities of cross-border cooperation, Emphasizing the critical role of strong institutions and regional unity in effectively combating corruption,

The 6th Annual General Assembly of NACIWA hereby resolves as follows:

1. Expresses profound gratitude to His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for his unwavering support and inspirational statement, which underscores the importance of our mission in combating corruption across the region;

2. Extends sincere appreciation to His Excellency, Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for graciously representing the President and demonstrating the Nigerian government’s commitment to NACIWA’s cause;

3. Expresses profound appreciation to the Government of Nigeria for providing a permanent Secretariat for NACIWA and to ECOWAS for hosting the 6th AGA, recognizing their commitment to regional anti-corruption efforts;

4. Conveys heartfelt thanks to His Excellency Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, for his presence and continued support, which reinforces the strong partnership between NACIWA and ECOWAS in the fight against corruption;

5. Acknowledges with gratitude the generous financial support provided by USAID, which has been instrumental in making this 6th Annual General Assembly possible and advancing our collective anti-corruption efforts;

6. Recognizes the valuable contributions of all participating member institutions, whose dedication and expertise continue to drive NACIWA’s mission forward;

7. Calls upon ECOWAS to intensify diplomatic efforts to resolve differences with the governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, emphasizing the importance of inclusive regional cooperation in the fight against corruption;

8. Commends the positive progress made across member states in improving legal and institutional frameworks for fighting corruption, while urging continued efforts to strengthen these mechanisms;

9. Welcomes the increased involvement of citizens, non-governmental organizations, and the media in anti-corruption efforts across the West African sub-region, recognizing their crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability;

10. Emphasizes the urgent need for the development of comprehensive Guidelines for the full implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption, to bring it in line with other international instruments such as UNCAC and the AU Convention against Corruption;

11. Strongly advocates for better funding and resourcing of Anti-Corruption agencies in the sub-region, recognizing that adequate human and material resources are essential for the effective discharge of their mandates;

12. Calls on the ECOWAS Commission to expedite the establishment of a Technical Commission for the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption, offering NACIWA’s expertise and support in this endeavor;

13. Resolves to pursue the harmonization of legal and regulatory frameworks across the region to prevent safe havens for corrupt individuals and facilitate more effective cross-border anti-corruption efforts;

14. Urges member states that have not yet done so to domesticate the ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption into their national laws and policies, ensuring a unified regional approach to fighting corruption;

15. Commits to leveraging technology to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in anti-corruption efforts across the region;

16. Decides to improve monitoring, reporting, and enforcement mechanisms within NACIWA and its member institutions to ensure the effective implementation of anti-corruption measures;

17. Pledges to deepen public awareness on the negative effects of corruption through comprehensive education and outreach programs, encouraging active citizen participation in anti-corruption initiatives;

18. Encourages member institutions to embrace peer learning and knowledge sharing, particularly to support less experienced agencies in developing effective anti-corruption strategies;

19. Welcomes the development of the draft ECOWAS Guidelines on Asset Recovery and Borderless Investigation which was presented at the AGA. Encourages the ECOWAS Commission to conclude the process with input from Member Institutions for its finalization and consideration at the next AGA;

20. Recommends the widespread adoption and utilization of Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) tools among member institutions to proactively identify and mitigate corruption vulnerabilities;

21. Commits to strengthening regional collaboration and cooperation to effectively address the transnational nature of corruption, including improved information sharing and joint operations where appropriate.

The 6th Annual General Assembly of NACIWA reaffirms its dedication to fostering a corruption-free West Africa and calls upon all stakeholders to join in this critical mission. The Assembly expresses its gratitude to His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and ECOWAS for their unwavering support.

This Communique was adopted in Abuja, Nigeria on the 20th of August 2024.