VZCZCXRO6729
PP RUEHDU RUEHJO RUEHMR
DE RUEHTO #1653/01 3610538
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 270538Z DEC 05
FM AMEMBASSY MAPUTO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4767
INFO RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORP WASHINGTON DC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHEFDIA/DIA WASHDC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MAPUTO 001653 
 
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MCC FOR SGAULL 
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E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KCOR PGOV PREL MZ
SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE: NATIONAL ANTI-CORRUPTION STRATEGY 
UNDER DISCUSSION 
 
 
MAPUTO 00001653  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
Summary 
------- 
 
¶1.  (SBU) The Ministry of State Administration presented a 
draft of Mozambique's National Anti-Corruption Strategy at a 
December 7 - 9 seminar held in Maputo.  The event was 
designed to build consensus around the anti-corruption 
strategy and identify challenges in its implementation, and 
brought together members of the government and 
representatives from various sectors of civil society to 
debate the draft plan.  Though the seminar was well-attended 
and received significant press coverage, many observers 
believe the strategy lacks the necessary focus and detail to 
be an effective anti-corruption tool.  The final version of 
the strategy is expected to be approved by the GRM in March 
¶2006.  Further seminars at the provincial level are planned 
for early next year.  End Summary. 
 
The Players Get Together 
------------------------ 
 
¶2. (U) The Ministry of State Administration, the government 
body charged with implementing public sector reform and 
coordinating the country's anti-corruption strategy, 
presented its draft of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 
(NACS) at a three-day seminar sponsored jointly by the 
British Council and the GRM.  The event, held from December 7 
to 9 in Maputo, was attended by various government ministers, 
provincial governors, permanent secretaries, political party 
representatives, religious and community leaders, as well a 
members of civil society and private sector.  The event aimed 
to build consensus among key players, as well as address the 
challenges that Mozambique will face in designing and 
implementing an effective national anti-corruption strategy. 
The final version of the strategy is expected to be approved 
by the GRM in March 2006.  Further seminars at the provincial 
level are planned for early next year. 
 
¶3. (U) The recent seminar is one of the final steps in a 
consultative process on the draft strategy that began nearly 
two years ago, and which included the preparation and launch 
of a national survey on public perception of corruption in 
Mozambique.  The final results, which were made public only 
in part in August, indicated that police and customs were 
considered the most corrupt public organs.  The survey also 
revealed general disillusionment with the Mozambican court 
system, as well as perceived widespread corruption within the 
health and education sectors.  (Note: The results of the 
survey were originally to be published by the GRM in 
September 2004, but were delayed.  Some observers believe 
this step was taken because the negative tone of the report 
may have significantly damaged the ruling FRELIMO party's 
image in advance of the December 2004 elections.  End note.) 
 
The Strategy's Nuts and Bolts... 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶4. (U) Though the NACS draws loosely on points from the 
national survey, it is based primarily on the Global Public 
Sector Reform Strategy (PSRS), which has been under 
development by the GRM with donor support.  The NACS puts 
forth seven strategic objectives that range from 
simplification and rationalization of administrative 
processes to the development of a culture of transparency and 
public accountability.  It also calls for improvements in the 
operational capacity, efficiency and quality of the justice 
system, and specifically targets an increase in number of 
corruption cases tried by the courts as means of discouraging 
the "culture of impunity" that, according to the strategy, 
drives corruption in Mozambique. 
 
...And Its Shortcomings 
----------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) During the seminar, some members of civil society 
questioned the strategy's ability to protect citizens who 
denounce corrupt acts, stating that the current 
anti-corruption laws does not sufficiently address the issue 
and that there is no mention of increased "whistle blower" 
protection in the draft strategy.  Others argued that the 
strategy would not be effective unless it addressed the issue 
of resources.  One individual cited the "conflict of 
interest" that arises when labor inspectors are forced to get 
 
MAPUTO 00001653  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
rides to inspection sites from the owners of the respective 
companies, since the inspectors themselves have no means of 
transportation. 
 
¶6. (SBU) During a December 14 donor meeting, members of the 
G18 outlined other areas in the draft strategy that they 
believe require additional definition, including conflict of 
interest, financial management reform, and declaration of 
assets. (Note: According to the local press, Minister of 
State Administration Lucas Chomera gave no indication that 
the strategy would address the issue of asset disclosure 
among high-ranking government officials, which is considered 
a key aspect in fighting corruption.  At present, such 
declarations are simply deposited with the Constitutional 
Council.  They are not made public unless the official 
chooses to do so.  To date, Minister of Finance Manuel Chang 
is the only senior official to publicly disclose his assets. 
End Note.) 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) Although some observers believe that the GRM's 
high-level participation in the strategy seminar is evidence 
of political will to fight corruption, others are skeptical 
that the GRM will actually incorporate recommendations made 
on key aspects deemed necessary for the draft to become a 
truly effective anti-corruption tool.  Though the seminar was 
well-attended and received significant press coverage, some 
observers reported that the tone of discussions was 
unenthusiastic.  End Comment. 
Dudley