Yemen Observer: http://www.yobserver.com
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Written By: Zaid al-Alaya
Article Date: May 27, 2008 - 8:34:39 AM
The first comprehensive investigation into corruption in Yemen has revealed 8709 corruption cases in the past 3 years. Astonishingly, 3932 of these occurred in 2007 alone. The offenders were the Ministries of Education, Health and Population, and Labour, Works and Roads. The most corrupt governorates were Ibb, Aden, al-Muhrah, and al-Muhwaid.
The devastating findings were revealed in a symposium held by the Supreme National Authority for Combating Corruption (SNACC) last Sunday. It was attended also by leaders from the Central Organisation for Control and Auditing (COCA), members of the national treasury, Minister of the Interior, assorted academics and reporters.
According to COCA, only 103 cases of corruption were discovered in 2007, 11 of which were referred to judicial authorities, and 6 cases were successfully prosecuted. Statistics reveal that the number of discovered cases in 2006 were 75. 6 of these were referred to the courts, and one is being prosecuted as the Observer went to press. According to COCA, cases in 2005 and 2007 numbered the same – 103. 2 were referred to justice last year, although none have yet been resolved.
The investigation, headed by Dr Abdul Karim al-Syany from SCAC and Dr Aaron from the World Bank shows that the Ministry of Education suffered 10 cases, followed by Labour, Works and Roads with 9, The Ministry of Health with 8, Ministry of Finance with 6, Culture 4, Social Affairs 3, and the remaining ministries were found to have 1 to 2 cases each.
The statistics arranged by governorates: Ibb 10, Aden 9, Ma’ahuid 8, Mahra 6, Sana’a City 6, Abyan 4, Taiz, Hadhramout and Sana’a Governorate with 3 each. Amran Ma’arib, Hudeidah and al-Jawf 3 each, al-dhah, Raimah, Shabwa, Sa’adah 1 each. No offences were found in al-Edha’a, Lahj or Haja.
In response to the criticisms addressed to COCA, its General Manager of Legal Affairs Hussein Barakat said that they give 1 month of time for the institution in question to refer the accused to judicial authorities. If when the deadline is expired and the case has not been addressed they take it to prosecution authorities themselves.
Corruption cases are notoriously difficult to nail down. The general attorney for public finances, Ali al-Awash, responded to the sluggish pace of investigations by saying that delays and obstructions may come from any of the multiple parties involved. Barakat finally called for cooperation between all sides, both government and non-governmental agencies and parties, to co-operate in order to fight corruption effectively. However, Ahmed Qurhesh, member of SNAC, said that the level of cooperation with COCA is suffering, since SNACC did not get a response for 163 cases referred to COCA by SNACC. “We were hoping for more cooperate from COCA,” said Qurhesh, who hailed the role of the media in helping SNACC discover many corruption cases. He also called for the activating the work of the joint committee of SNACC and COCA.
The investigation, according to the Ministry of Interior, shows that 1931 corruption cases were discovered. Among them 77 crimes were related to the national economy, 1543 to public works, 65 violated the course of justice, and 256 were counterfeit crimes. The year 2006 recorded 1905 cases. 97 were related to the national economy, and 240 were counterfeit crimes, according to the Ministry of the Interior.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said that the Ministry is now preparing monthly, quarterly and annual reports that are sent to the general prosecution office, to researchers in universities, and now also to SNACC, providing them with these reports.
“Corrupt people have begun to be more subtle and nefarious about concealing evidence, which prolongs investigations,” said al-Awash.
He also said that the survey recorded that 202 had been resolved in the courts, out of a total of 500 cases that the general office of prosecution received.
Statistics issued by SNACC reveal 141 cases, 19 of which were referred to justice. Deputy Chairman of SNACC, Dr. Bilqis Abu Usba’a said that these cases recorded here didn’t include cases from the last 3 months, as SNACC received more than this number of cases in the past 3 months. The report classified degrees of corruption according to 11 levels, which included; cases connected to the economy; public works; obstruction of justice; looting private sector property; accepting bribes; cases related to counterfeiting; and tax evasion.
The study shows that the cases of corruption will increase if cooperation between all concerned sides with SNAC is not established. It will also destroy the image of SNACC and the substantial efforts invested in its creation.
Head of SNACC Ahmed al-Anisi said that this survey is an important step in evaluating the magnitude of such insidious corruption. “There are many who underestimate the work done by SNACC but this will never destroy our resolve. At the same time we are not in the camp of those overzealous parties demanding summary public blood-letting.”
Head of COCA DR Abdullah al-Sanafi said that COCA will play its consultative role in founding legislative structures for fighting corruption by developing financial and admin laws. Deputy Minister of the Interior, Saleh al-Zo’ari, said that the national leadership has high hopes riding on SNACC to fight corruption and that the Ministry will fully cooperate with SNAC in its executive actions.
Judicial authorities have consented to delegate a number of officials to work with SNACC in pursuing the crackdown. The recent corruption crackdown felled several high-profile ministers last week, leading to an extensive cabinet re-shuffle