Ambassador Tuggar Urges Global and Regional Collaboration In Anti-Corruption Fight.

By Caroline Ameh

At the 6th Annual General Assembly of the Network of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa (NACIWA) held on Monday, 19th August, 2024 at the ECOWAS Secretariat,  Abuja, Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, called for heightened regional and global collaboration in combating corruption. Tuggar underscored the significant effects of corruption on development and stability, particularly in Africa.

Describing corruption as a pervasive problem that undermines institutions, erodes public trust, and exacerbates poverty and inequality, Tuggar cited Nigeria as a vivid example where corruption aggravates radicalization, insecurity, terrorism, and human trafficking.

The Minister addressed challenges in West African countries, particularly in border areas where weak local governance allows criminal gangs to engage in smuggling and other illicit activities. He noted the rise of Boko Haram, banditry, and drug trafficking in Nigeria and its neighboring nations as indicative of these issues.

Tuggar emphasized the need to track financial flows to effectively address these problems and highlighted the importance of local governance in bolstering regional cooperation. Nigeria, together with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), is actively involved in cross-border diplomacy to improve transnational cooperation in development planning.

He pointed out that illicit financial flows siphon billions from Africa each year, hidden in tax havens and opaque financial systems, which undermines economic stability and growth.

The African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) were discussed as essential initiatives for fostering good governance and accountability. Additionally, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was highlighted as a significant opportunity to standardize regulations and enhance regional cooperation.

Ambassador Tuggar also stressed the need for global cooperation in addressing corruption and illicit financial flows, citing the United Nations Resolution on Tax Cooperation—championed by Nigeria—as a step towards better international tax cooperation and the elimination of financial safe havens.

He called for increased international support for Africa’s anti-corruption efforts, emphasizing the need for greater transparency in global financial systems and the closing of loopholes that facilitate illicit activities. Tuggar also pointed out the potential of advanced technologies, such as AI and blockchain, in tracking and repatriating stolen assets.

In conclusion, the Minister urged for more equitable international legal frameworks to combat corruption and financial crime, advocating for a balanced global approach to tackling these issues.