The Good Governance Saga

Weeding out corruption is a complex processes. Aside from the perception and the level of trust that society accords to institutions, the professionalism and commitment exhibited by investigative bodies has paramount importance in combatting corruption.

Unfortunately, the establishment of the Federal Ethics & Anti-corruption Commission (FEACC) in a highly volatile political climate and the ratification of some proclamations at a rocket speed, have negatively affected people’s perception towards the institution. But it is clear that the goal of the institution is not to incarcerate few individuals.

Setting aside the politics of crime control, there are irresponsible persons who claim that the authorities are in pursuit of robbery and so should others. With these kinds of negative suggestions, political polarisations and ethnic tensions, fighting corruption in a comprehensive manner becomes very difficult.

With old control methods abolished and new ones not properly designed, coupled with the passion for starting all things anew, it is not surprising that the repeated civil service reforms created convenient gaps in which corruption can flourish. The late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi clearly identified the paradox by saying, “we are fighting corruption with one hand, while the other is handcuffed at the back…with government thieves aligned with private thieves’’.

How is a rent-seeking political economy prevailing, while we follow participatory democracy? What are the reasons behind irresponsible governance that allow some groups to be above the law?

The current civil service and government enterprises’ employees may need to go far to learn the successes of other countries, but not the mistakes. Because we have ample evidence here, how half a million strong army collapsed when government bureaucracy reached a dysfunctional level.

Once society loses confidence in institutions and begins labelling and ostracising them, it is be very difficult to restore that confidence and the entire system can be endangered.

Broadly speaking, the whole issue should be to live up to the constitutionally inscribed principles of “the government of the people, by the people, for the people” and the rule of law. Having a government committed to developmental state principles and registering growth continuously could play its part.

In-fact, no small number of people entered the civil service with either no respect for the law of the land or for the natural laws assumed inalienable. Hence, they are confused about right and wrong. And in the name of participation, they are manipulating the public wing and the system.

Particularly, if a prosecutor points fingers at higher authorities for their failure in not presenting the full evidence; if an investigator fails to attach important documents in his file, and if judges refrain from passing the right decisions referring the right articles, knowing that cases are reversed at the Supreme Court thereby delaying justice, then what safeguards remain for the public to advance its interests?

Now the seriousness of the problem requires us to act quickly and decisively. The main thing lies in appreciating the extent of the problem. The government has expressed its commitment in commissioning the study and openly accepting the results.

So as representatives of the people, Members of Parliament (MPs) have the highest responsibility in ensuring that budgets and other resources are used properly, and these authorities are answerable to the people. The public service on its part has to ascertain that people entering the service have the highest ethical standards and that positions are attained through competency.

Mass deployment is not the answer. Standards must be raised. Though the government is the biggest employer, utilising manpower efficiently and increasing the benefits for those high achievers has to be seen. As it is said, perceptions of incompetence not only reduce trust in government, but also decrease legitimacy and stability.

The main concern here is where do we place the clean fresh graduates when some places are totally contaminated with malice?

At the beginning of their duty, they are told by colleagues not to speak out hard facts. Conducting strong discussion on work problems is seen as attacking the status quo. So silence becomes the best policy. Removing these constraints requires democracy and transparency to take root.

Investigative bodies also are expected to perform their duty professionally, with national feeling and respecting the rule of law. It is mandatory to have the personality that the job requires. Otherwise, messing with this kind of job without commitment and analytical ability makes professional thieves bold enough to scorn the criminal justice system.

Even in the time of the military government when illegal trade practice was the trend, the then police force tried to combat the crime professionally by forming special investigative teams led by a senior experienced colonel.

Therefore, at least in the short term, anti-corruption and police investigators are expected to combine efforts in critical sectors to tame these unbridled and irresponsible criminal activities. They have the obligation to protect the democratic processes jointly with the concerned bodies.

This is not party politics. It is protecting our values for the survival of our people as a nation.

 


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