The Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR) Implementation Stakeholders’ Collaboration Workshop kicked off

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September 19, 2022

The Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR) implementation stakeholder’s collaboration workshop was co-organized by African Union Commission through its Department of Political Affairs, Peace & Security, the African Union Advisory Board against Corruption, the Office National de Recouvrement des Avoirs (ONRAC) (National Asset Recovery Office) of the Republic of Senegal and the German Agency for International Cooperation or (GIZ).

The workshop’s main objective was to provide a platform for key stakeholders, Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Networks (ARINs) and the African Prosecutors' Network, to dialogue and discuss effective strategies for the implementation and reporting of CAPAR in their respective constituencies.

In his Welcome Remarks, Mr. Mor Ndiaye, Director General of Office National de Recouvrement des Avoirs Criminels (ONRAC-Sénégal) welcomed all officials and delegates at this workshop. He informed the participants on the special interest and attention given by his country in this process, thus the effective engagement of his office in the organization of this workshop. He commended the efforts of the AU especially through its institutions, notably the African Union Advisory Board on Corruption (AU-ABC) for the efforts made to stem Illicit Financial Flows (IFFs) in Africa. He called on the importance of the Inter-Agency and Prosecutorial Networks in the operationalization of the CAPAR on the continent. Finally, he wished all a successful deliberation during the proceeding of this workshop.

In her Remarks, Mrs. Khatarina Noussi, Representative of GIZ, Senegal thanked the organizers (AUC PAPS, AU-ABC and ONRAC) for this initiative and above all for the taking the lead in this process. She informed the meeting that the GIZ is committed to this cause and has laid out three (3) priority areas of intervention which are: (a) Asset Recovery (it’s worth noting that in accordance to different reports, African loses almost 50 Million USD on IFFs); (b) Fight against IFFs as it is a global challenge for most countries with high economic consequences; and (c) Program on the impact of corruption and IFFs in the economies of most developing countries (an amount of 23 million euros has been earmarked with offices in four (4) regions of the continent (excluding Central Africa). She then re-iterated their support and engagement in this process going forward and wished everyone a successful engagement.

In her Remarks, Mrs Ndiaye DIAKHATE SEYNABOU Vice-Chairperson of AU-ABC, emphasized on the negative impact of corruption and IFFs on the continent, thus, slowing Africa’s developmental agenda. She recalled the different reports on IFFs notably that of Thabo Mbeki issued in 2015 on its impact on the continent and the need for African countries to put in all their efforts to stem this disease from keeping its toll. She recalled the decision of the Assembly at its 33^rd Assembly Session on 09 & 10 February 2020, which adopted a decision on the Common African Position for Asset Recovery (CAPAR). She re-iterated on the important and vital role of African Union Advisory Board on Corruption (AU-ABC) in this process given their mandate on issues of corruption on the continent.

Speaking on behalf of H.E. Amb. Bankole Adeoye, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, (AUC), Mr. Issaka Garba Abdou, Acting Head of the Governance and Human Rights Division thanked and expressed his gratitude to the Government of Senegal for hosting the workshop and for facilities offered to the various delegations since their arrival. He stated that for many years, African countries have witnessed and continue to witness the sending of huge proportions of their resources to foreign jurisdictions without proper compensation or returns. He also highlighted the fact sometimes these assets are recovered and seized by foreign governments but not repatriated to their country of origin. While recognizing that this practice is counterproductive, as these assets are used to finance foreign economies to the detriment of the true owners. Given the scale and cross-border nature of IFFs, Mr. Issaka emphasized the need for an ambitious multilateral approach for recovering assets lost through IFF channels.

Mr. Issaka further recalled the decision of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union, at their 33rd session in February 2020, which endorsed the Common African Position on Asset Recovery (CAPAR) to guide the African countries in the recovery and management of stolen assets. “The Assembly also mandated the African Union Commission (AUC) and the African Union Advisory Board against Corruption (AUAC) to implement CAPAR by developing the necessary tools to operationalize the decision and to report to it regularly on the progress made,” concluded Mr. Issaka.

In her opening Statement, Mrs. Aïssé Gassama Tall, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice, the Republic of Senegal, welcomed and thanked all stakeholders at this important workshop. She informed the meeting on the UNODC report on the impact of IFFs on the continent as well as the role African countries have to play in the fight against IFFs through the relevant provisions in the SDGs. “The fight against fiscal evasion is vital, and for that to happen, there are needs for a better cooperation among countries and agencies on this matter and for sharing information adequately and effectively,” said Mrs. Aïssé Gassama Tall. She reiterated the engagement and commitment of the government of Senegal especially in the implementation of the four (4) pillars of the CAPAR which are: asset detection and identification; asset recovery and return; asset management; and cooperation and partnerships. “The establishment of the Office National de Recouvrement des Avoirs Criminels (ONRAC) as a new institution in Senegal just three (3) months ago is a sign of dedication of the government to stem IFFs as well as recover the stolen assets from the country,” she said. Mrs. Aïssé Gassama Tall emphasized the crucial role of the Prosecutor’s Network in the operationalization of the CAPAR through the signing of MOUs as well as creating platform for exchange of information among them.

The meeting had in attendance delegates from Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Cabo Verde, Zambia, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Togo, The Gambia, Sierra-Leone, Burundi, Lesotho, South Sudan, Liberia, Rwanda, Nigeria, Guinea Bissau, Mauritania, Chad, Egypt, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Madagascar, Namibia & Tanzania. Also, present were development partners, namely the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa (CoDA), GIZ, UNODC and the European Union.

About CAPAR?

CAPAR is a political, policy, and advocacy instrument to assist in identifying, repatriating and effectively managing Africa’s assets for the common good of citizens in accordance with Africa’s development agenda, domestic laws and other legitimate government purposes in a manner that respects the sovereignty of Member States;

CAPAR is a critical step in stemming or reversing illicit financial flows from Africa and for the recovery and return of assets within a contextualized historical, political, economic, and social narrative. CAPAR has four pillars: Asset Detection and Identification, Asset Recovery and Return, Asset Management, and Cooperation and Partnerships.

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Mr. Gamal Eldin Ahmed A. Karrar | Senior Communication Officer | Information and Communication Directorate (ICD), African Union Commission | E-mail: GamalK@africa-union.org

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