Displaying items by tag: corruption crackdown

Thursday, 14 September 2023 21:20

Global: climate change and corruption

Last week we prayed for Africa Climate Week and the first global stocktake that demanded the Global North takes responsibility for its contribution to damage in Africa. There is a need for action that makes climate projects stronger and more effective, from design to implementation. However, what is missing is the importance of ensuring transparency and accountability by non-governmental groups, especially civil society and indigenous communities. Governments and private investors have committed billions of dollars to green initiatives, but up to 35% of climate action funds have been lost to corruption as many countries that receive climate finance have high levels of corruption. With the climate crisis worsening, there is immense pressure to disperse climate funds as quickly as possible, which can lead to decision-makers bypassing rules. Climate projects are often technical, resulting in a lack of accountability. Pray for climate-related investments around the world to reach their intended destination and be used effectively and inclusively. Pray for climate initiatives to have increased transparency. See also

Published in Worldwide
Friday, 27 January 2023 08:25

Ukraine: Corruption crackdown

There have been Ukrainian anti-corruption reforms before, but stakes are higher now that Kyiv is receiving billions of dollars of financial aid from Western allies. Officials are warned through official and unofficial channels: focus on the war, help victims, reduce bureaucracy and stop doing dubious business. Some have not listened. Several senior officials have resigned as Zelensky begins a shake-up of government personnel. A top adviser, four deputy ministers and five regional governors left their posts on 24th January in the broad anti-corruption drive. There are bribery claims worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and officials living lavishly. Zelensky is responding to ‘key public demands’ that justice must apply to everyone and state officials cannot leave Ukraine unless on authorised business. Ukraine is historically corrupt. In 2021 Ukraine ranked 122 out of 180 corrupt countries.

Published in Europe
Thursday, 10 February 2022 21:07

Bosnia: ghost of nationalism returns

Bosnia's political class has failed to short-circuit its dysfunctional governance. Serb strongman Milorad Dodik is raising ghosts of the past. UK ambassador Matt Field’s recent blog condemned deep-seated corruption, ‘consequence-free’ politics and the way powerful individuals could steal public money, block reform, praise war criminals, manipulate elections, and deny justice. Relations between Bosnia and Serbia turned critical last July when the outgoing high representative, an Austrian with roots in former Yugoslavia, banned the denial of genocide. A foreigner passing laws outraged the Bosnian Serb leader. He ramped up separatist rhetoric and stopped cooperating with the national institutions of which he is part. Christian Schmidt, the high representative, said Bosnia is gripped by the ‘greatest existential crisis of the post-war period’, and Dodik’s threat to turn his armed police into a revived Bosnian Serb army risked a return to war.

Published in Europe
Friday, 09 February 2018 10:07

Russian oligarchs want to return to Moscow

In the wake of an announcement that the UK is to clamp down on rich foreigners, a number of Russian oligarchs have reportedly asked the Kremlin if they can return to their country without being arrested. British security minister Ben Wallace is said to have sparked fear among some of London's wealthy foreign contingent when he announced tough measures to crack down on criminals and corrupt politicians, resembling those portrayed in the TV series McMafia. The High Court has started issuing unexplained wealth orders (UWO's), in which money of those who were unable to explain how they acquired British assets of more than £50,000 could be frozen. Last March the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project stated 500 wealthy and well-connected Russians were behind a ‘global laundromat' when their banking records were obtained.

Published in British Isles