POMED Notes: “Corruption Challenges in Yemen”
On Friday the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) joined with the Embassy of Yemen to present “Corruption Challenges in Yemen,” a presentation by Dr. Bilkis Abouosbaa, Vice-Chairperson of the Supreme National Authority for Combating Corruption (SNACC). A portion of the documentary film “Destructive Beast: Corruption in Yemen” was also shown.
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Les Campbell, NDI’s Senior Associate and Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa spoke briefly about NDI’s long involvement in Yemen and the willingness of Yemeni citizens to cooperate with anti-corruption measures. Gregory Simpson, Senior Program Officer for CIPE’s Middle East and North Africa program introduced the film clip from “Destructive Beast,” saying that while much attention has been paid to Yemen of late, most of it has focused on security issues. Simpson argued for focusing on the Yemeni governments ability to “deliver for its citizens,” especially when it comes to economic opportunity. Simpson said that the film showed the “diverse nature” of the problem and the “diverse solutions” needed for solving it.
Fatima Asrar of the Yemeni Embassy explained how SNACC was formed as a result of the national agenda of reform during 2006. For the first time, Yemen achieved separation of powers in the judiciary during this period. A law was passed removing the president from the head of the judiciary, and 22 judges were forced to retire. A woman was also appointed to the Supreme Court. Asrar emphasized the independence of SNACC and that its members are known for their competence and integrity.
Dr. Bilkis began her presentation by saying that corruption is a “worldwide” problem, as well as a regional and Yemeni problem. Corruption impedes “social, political, and economic development,” and the Yemeni government understood that. Four laws were passed in 2006 in an effort to confront corruption: the Asset Declaration Law, the Tenders Law, the Anti-Laundering Law, and the Anti-Corruption Law. SNACC was formed as a result of the Anti-Corruption Law. SNACC members are elected through a “two-part process.” First, there is an open call for candidates to submit their names. Names are then submitted to the Shura Council, which narrows the number of candidates to 33. The remaining candidates are then voted on by the parliament, producing the 11 member SNACC. Dr.Bilkis described SNACC as having three “sectors”: women, private business, and civil society. The group is financially and administratively independent, meaning that they request “one figure” for funding from the government and are allowed to employ whoever they choose. Since the inception of SNACC, much of the groups focus has been on “capacity building,” which consisted primarily of finding and training staff. This was not easy, due in part to the newness of anti-corruption as a concept.
The groups work is based in three fields: investigation, prevention, and education. The investigatory field included setting up an office to receive complaints from citizens and the media. According to Dr. Bilkis, the office was initially “overwhelmed” by reports of corruption. So far, SNACC has referred 31 cases to prosecutors and 4 are currently being adjudicated. SNACC has also directly intervened to stop corruption, as in the case of company trying to obtain a $15 billion contract with the government of Yemen without having the capacity to deliver the services it promised. SNACC discovered the discrepancy and was able to intervene in time to stop the deal from going forward.
SNACC’s prevention efforts are achieved in three ways. First, the Asset Declaration Law forces members of the government to be honest with their personal finances. There was initially resistance, but when high ranking members of the military voluntarily complied, others soon relented. Today, after two years of raising awareness about the law and how to comply, it has become “easier” according to Dr.Bilkis. Second, SNACC has sought to amend laws in order to close loopholes in the legal system, and has formed a committee to determine where laws overlap or contradict each another. SNACC has worked to add provisions into the penal law that makes corruption a punishable crime and have also worked to amend procedures and regulations within ministries. They have also worked to create “codes of conduct” within ministries. The third prevention effort is raising awareness. SNACC works with the media and civil society groups to disseminate information about what corruption is and how it damages the country. Dr. Bilkis said that one of the groups most important “tools” is the movie “Destructive Beast,” which is currently being shown by the Police Academy. They are also active in speaking to the youth of Yemen through programs in schools and summer camps. She praised NDI for helping SNACC reach out to communities far away from the capital Saana, where SNACC is based.
Dr. Bilkis emphasized that SNACC “does not and cannot” work alone. They work with civil society, the government, and international organizations in order to achieve their goals. This cooperative spirit can be seen in a corruption strategy the group launched in July of this year. Dr. Bilkis insisted that there is the “political will” to fight corruption in Yemen, and that SNACC is receiving support from the government of Yemen. She ended by saying that while the struggle against corruption is “tiring,” her organization is “serious and committed” to fighting it.
During a brief question and answer session, questioners asked whether high level officials were being punished, what SNACC outreach looked like at a governorate level, and how SNACC planned on educating women in the home.
Dr. Bilkis answered the first question by saying that members of the government at the vice ministerial level and above are currently immune from prosecution and that SNACC is currently working to change this by pushing for the ratification of a constitutional amendment removing that immunity. In response to the second question, Dr. Bilkis said that SNACC intends to open four branches around the country, but that they are currently waiting for the government to decide what their budget will be. They are also seeking funding elsewhere in the meantime. In answer to the question about educating women Dr. Bilkis, who represents women in SNACC, talked about how the group is currently running a workshop on the role of women as well as reaching out to local councils in order to promote women’s participation at the local level. She added that she believes that women have a “large role” in educating the next generation and instilling in them “Islamic principles” of anti-corruption.