2023-04-27 08:53:58
The Norbert Zongo Cell (CENOZO) for investigative journalism in West Africa is organizing from 26 to 28 April 2023, in Niamey, a Regional Conference on investigative journalism and the fight against corruption. The main objective being to strengthen transparency and accountability in West Africa by maximizing the impact of quality investigative journalism on the fight against corruption.
The first of its kind, this meeting, which brings together some fifty journalists from more than ten countries and ten leaders of civil society organizations, is intended to be a space for dialogue, sharing of experiences and collective reflection on sanitation. management of public resources for inclusive and sustainable development in West Africa, said Moussa Aksar, Chairman of the CENOZO Board of Directors.
According to him, this conference was initiated in the right line of the struggle, falling within the framework of the protection of human rights and the promotion of democratic accountability, which CENOZO has been leading since its creation.
« We felt that, as a network of investigative journalists in the sub-region, as a center for investigative and capacity building for journalists to contribute to the fight against corruption, we must go beyond the surveys we publish said Moussa Aksar.
More cooperation for an effective fight
Noting the need to raise awareness and bring together all stakeholders in the fight against corruption, CENOZO “ would like to make national institutions and CSOs effective partners for more follow-up to the investigations carried out by its members in the 15 ECOWAS countries and in Mauritania revealed Mr. Aksar.
« We are resolutely committed to a synergy of actions in which the publications of journalists will not remain flashes in the pan, but rather give rise to effective takeover by civil society and the self-referral of national institutions for the fight against corruption. “, he added.
For her part, Ms. Fatima Jumaine, National Coordinator of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Niger, believes that this initiative constitutes a new essential step in the evolution of investigative journalism and in the prevention and fight against corruption in West Africa.
« The region that concerns us has experienced changes in its political and institutional landscape over the past two decades, in particular through the establishment in several countries of institutions responsible for improving governance “, she rejoices. The UNODC coordinator also notes that notable progress has been observed in the prevention and repression of corrupt practices and similar offenses and the gradual establishment of freedom of expression and of the press. However, she reveals, West Africa still faces significant challenges in terms of transparency and accountability in public management, as the United Nations Convention against Corruption celebrates its twentieth anniversary this year. .
« I am firmly convinced that journalistic freedom and independence, respecting high quality standards, are essential in a rule of law and allow journalists to better know and better investigate matters which affect their respective countries or have a more global. This allows them to contribute to the promotion of democracy and put accountability back at the center of the debates said Fatima Jumaine.
Saluting” strongly organization of this conference, the UNODC Coordinator also thinks that ” greater regional cooperation will allow us to identify the best existing practices, in the region but also beyond, as well as the pitfalls to avoid, to share your respective experiences and to allow the development of investigative journalism in the countries that surround us ».
A common commitment for Niger and CENOZO
The fight against corruption and similar offenses is one of the priorities of the State of Niger and its highest authorities, said Sahirou Tchida Moussa, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice.
In view of the perverse effects of corruption on the credibility of the institutions of the Republic, ” it is important to have a continuous commitment to fight this scourge”, emphasizes Sahirou Tchida Moussa who recalls “that like the majority of countries in the sub-region, Niger has established institutions to promote good governance and fight against corruption ».
In his speech, the President of HALCIA, Mai Moussa Elhadji Bashir affirmed that this initiative reflecting ” a clear and displayed commitment of CENOZO in the fight against corruption was highly appreciated by HALCIA “. For him, CENOZO is a “ fairly strategic partner in that its members are the main whistleblowers and whistleblowers of acts of corruption ».
Mai Moussa Elhadji Bashir of mentionner that « the organization of this conference is in line with the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Convention of which Niger has been a party since 2008 ».
It should be noted that this meeting, organized in collaboration with the High Authority for the Fight against Corruption and Assimilated Offenses (HALCIA) and UNODC, will also allow CENOZO to renew its governing bodies.
Ahmadou Atafa
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