2008年-世界发展银行全球_Mauritania___Anti-Corruption_Study_90页_1mb

Mauritania: Anti-Corruption Study Summary

Core Content

This report, prepared by the World Bank in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Commission (EC), provides an in-depth analysis of corruption in Mauritania. It aims to support the formulation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) and offers insights from international experiences to guide governance and anti-corruption reforms.

Main Topics Covered

• Corruption Definition and Measurement: Corruption is defined as the misuse of public office for private gain. It is broadly classified into grand corruption (legal and policy level) and administrative corruption (day-to-day practices).
• Public Procurement: Corruption in procurement is widespread, with weak controls and insufficient transparency. The report recommends reforms to the procurement code, better training for personnel, and improved audit and reporting mechanisms.
• Judicial Sector: The judicial system in Mauritania is plagued by corruption, including selective access to justice, manipulation of facts, varying processing speeds, and hidden charges. The report suggests harmonizing legal systems, improving access to legal information, and ensuring merit-based appointments.
• Extractive Industries: Corruption in the oil sector occurs at various levels, from policy design to operational practices. The report highlights the need for legal and fiscal reforms, capacity building, and transparency in oil revenue management.
• Private Sector Development: Corruption is a significant barrier to the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially in terms of financial costs and access to resources. The report emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues through targeted policies.

Key Findings

• Corruption in Mauritania is deeply rooted in the political and social structure, reflecting decades of rent-driven development.
• The Central Procurement Commission (CCM) is responsible for overseeing procurement, but its effectiveness is limited due to lack of capacity and transparency.
• The judicial system faces challenges such as lack of independence, inadequate remuneration for judges, and unclear legal frameworks.
• The National Hydrocarbon Revenue Fund (FNRH) has been established to manage oil revenues transparently, but the legal and fiscal frameworks need updating.
• SMEs are particularly vulnerable to corruption due to limited access to credit, lack of political connections, and higher bribe propensity compared to larger firms.

Recommendations

• Reform the Procurement Code: Improve transparency and ensure effective implementation through staff training, stronger audit mechanisms, and punitive measures.
• Strengthen the Judicial System: Harmonize traditional and modern law systems, improve access to legal information, and implement merit-based judicial appointments.
• Revise Legal and Fiscal Frameworks: Update the legal and fiscal regime for the oil sector and improve the capacity of relevant institutions.
• Enhance Transparency in Oil Management: Foster transparency in the management of the oil sector and ensure that the National Oil Company (SMH) operates independently.
• Support Private Sector Development: Improve access to long-term credit for SMEs, reduce the scope for corruption through microeconomic measures, and conduct regular surveys on corruption perceptions.

International Experience and Lessons

• Integrity Pacts (IPs) and E-Procurement systems have shown success in reducing corruption in procurement.
• Judicial reforms, such as codes of conduct, merit-based appointments, and improved salaries, have helped reduce corruption in other countries.
• In the extractive industries, transparency initiatives like the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) have played a crucial role in curbing corruption.

Conclusion

The report emphasizes the need for sustained commitment and comprehensive reforms to tackle corruption in Mauritania. It highlights the importance of moving from law-making to law implementation, ensuring political accountability, and fostering an environment where the rule of law is upheld. The World Bank and other donors are encouraged to support these efforts through monitoring, knowledge dissemination, and capacity-building initiatives.