Burkina Faso: Corruption and War efforts do not mix well
The Transition President, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, reiterated on Monday his determination to rigorously combat corruption, which he described as «theft» within the Burkinabe public administration.
According to the Head of State, many hired firms often have connections with administration stakeholders who, through indirect channels, offer their services in exchange for undue remuneration.
«This is theft, it’s cheating, and we will put an end to these practices», he exclaimed.
The Transition President called for the activation of disciplinary councils in various administrative structures so that sanctions could be imposed on dishonest employees, even if it leads to dismissal.
President of the Transition, Captain Ibrahim TRAORE, met with the staff of the Presidency of Faso and affiliated services on Monday morning to discuss the institution’s functioning and the direction of the Transition for the year 2024.
For him, the anti-corruption machinery has started for the year 2024, and firmness will be applied to proven cases of corruption and laxity in the public administration.
«Everyone must perform the mission for which they were recruited. Unfortunately, this is often not the case, and when we want to dismiss, people bring out texts from everywhere. You cannot take texts from others and come to apply them to our context», added Captain Ibrahim TRAORE, who expressed his frustration with certain practices in the public administration.
Deduction is not synonymous with corruption
Less than a week ago, the transition government decided to deduct workers’ salaries to support the war effort and significantly improve the living conditions of the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP).
On this matter, the Minister of the Economy clarified that these deductions aim to enhance not only the equipment of the fighting forces but also the VDP’s bonus, which now increases from 60,000 FCFA to 80,000 FCFA.
«We need to quickly end this war, and we genuinely ask for the support of public and private sector workers so that we can mobilize together to face the situation», emphasized the minister.
Thus, in addition to the 1% deduction on the net salary of public and private sector workers, the government will deduct 25% from workers’ bonuses and 5% from ministers’ salaries to fund the counter-terrorism fund.
The measure has already received widespread approval from most Burkinabe, some of whom have even urged authorities to make it mandatory.
However, if in this dynamic, corruption continues to undermine collective efforts, it is crucial for the executive leader to declare war on corruption in Burkina Faso during this year 2024.
Because this “theft” is also identified in sovereign states as a weapon of mass destruction for the local economy.
At the limit, it might even be perceived in Burkina Faso as another form of economic destabilization maneuver orchestrated by the enemy.
There is no war effort if corruption prevails in public administration. Therefore, its eradication becomes just as crucial as the fight against terrorism itself.
