Burkina Faso: The fight against corruption enters a new phase under the leadership of President Ibrahim TRAORE

Since taking office, Captain Ibrahim Traoré has committed not only to combating terrorism but also to tackling corruption—a significant barrier to Burkina Faso’s economic development. Corruption remains deeply entrenched in Burkinabe society, particularly within public administration, mirroring issues seen across much of Africa.

President Traoré has pledged to address this pervasive issue to ensure effective and transparent management of public finances and to usher in a new era for the country’s economy.

This commitment was reaffirmed at the beginning of 2024 and reiterated during a July 11 meeting with national stakeholders. Concrete measures have been put in place to advance this cause.

Notably, an anti-corruption unit has been established within the presidency, and a presidential decree now encourages Burkinabe citizens to report corruption in public administration.

The Superior Authority for State Control and the Fight Against Corruption (ASCE-LC), which was founded in 2015, has expanded its efforts to raise awareness and combat corruption.

In a bid to enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives, ASCE-LC is translating anti-corruption legislation into five local languages, including Mooré, Dioula, Fulfuldé, Gourmantché, and Bissa.

This translation effort aims to ensure that anti-corruption laws are accessible and understood by a broader segment of the population.

The specifics of how these documents will be disseminated are yet to be finalized, but the goal is to engage and mobilize all Burkinabe citizens in the fight against corruption.

Cédric KABORE