Declaration of assets 'not compulsory' for senior officials in Burundi: President Ndayishimiye
Bujumbura, Burundi (PANA) - Burundian president Evariste Ndayishimiye says that public and senior state officials will not be forced to declare the origin of their property and assets.
The procedures are "long" and the origin of property "discretionary", President Ndayishimiye said his first press conference on Friday.
He said that at the end of a public officer's term of office, accounts may be required from those who show clear signs of illicit enrichment.
At a government retreat on 21-23 July, the Burundian head of state said that members of the government should declare their assets in three weeks.
This reversal surprised and reopened the debate on the exact meaning of Article 95 of the country's basic law on good governance.
The article in question stipulates that "on taking office and at the end of the term, the President of the Republic, the Vice-President, the Prime Minister and members of the government are required to make a written declaration of their property and assets on their honour, addressed to the Supreme Court".
The Anti-Corruption Law also obliges those concerned to declare, in addition to their property and assets, those of their spouses and minor children, "whether they are owners, users or habitual holders".
In addition, a declaration must be filed with the Supreme Court within one month of suspension, interruption or termination of office of a public office holder.
One of the main local organisations fighting against economic and financial malpractice, OLUCOME, wrote to the Burundian president in early July asking him to apply the law.
Without a declaration of property of dignitaries, "it is impossible to fight against the offences of illicit enrichment, influence peddling, money laundering, favouritism and illegal taking of interests," OLUCOME wrote.
-0- PANA FB/JSG/BBA/MA 26Sept2020
