The Senegalese government is preparing a major overhaul of its anti-corruption system. A draft law on the creation of the Office national de lutte contre la corruption (OFNAC), submitted to the National Assembly, provides for the establishment of an organ with enhanced powers and greater independence. This text has not yet been adopted, but its broad lines signal a break with the existing framework. According to the Exposé des Motifs, the objective of this new text is to “provide Senegal with an effective, independent and credible anti-corruption body”, replacing the former structure established by Law No. 2012-30 of 28 December 2012. The project aims to harmonize the national architecture with international standards, including those of the United Nations Convention against Corruption and the African Union. The text defines the OFNAC as “an independent administrative authority with legal personality and financial autonomy”, charged with “preventing and combating corruption and similar offences throughout the national territory”. It is also entrusted with a role of awareness-raising and education, in addition to the power of direct referral to the competent courts, in case of detection of infringements. The draft law specifies that the Office will have the task of “investigating, verifying and transmitting to the procureur de la République or to the Autorité nationale de poursuite all relevant corruption offences”.
A new OFNAC in gestation: what does the draft law…
