Global Integrity Report

Algeria Home

Facts

Timeline

Notebook

Integrity Scorecard

2007 Assessment

Algeria: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Algeria: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Anti-Corruption Agency
Indicators		Score
71	In law, is there an agency (or group of agencies) with a legal mandate to address corruption?	100
72	Is the anti-corruption agency effective?	19
73	Can citizens access the anti-corruption agency?	13

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

In law, is there an agency (or group of agencies) with a legal mandate to address corruption?

71: In law, is there an agency (or group of agencies) with a legal mandate to address corruption?

Score:

YES

Comments: The Algerian government council has given the mandate to combat corruption to the Inspection générale des finances (IGF), a division within the Bank of Algeria.

The above-mentioned Executive Decree from 1992 details the organization, structure and its original mandate of the IGF.

References: Inspection générale des finances (IGF) Website of the Bank of Algeria [ LINK ]

Executive Decree No. 92-32 of 20 January 1992 Ministry of Economy JO N° 6 du 26 Janvier 1992, Page 148 Portant organisation des structures centrales de l'inspection générale des finances.

Peer Review Comments: IGF is not solely designated to combat corruption.

Is the anti-corruption agency effective?

72a: In law, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) is protected from political interference.

Score:

YES

Comments: The "Inspection générale des finances" (IGF) is an integrated unit within the Bankl of Algeria and under the Minister of Finances. This is in contrast to the prevision of the law agaisnt corruption, which forees an "autonomous body".

References: Décret exécutif n° 98-230 du 19 Rabie El Aouel 1419 correspondant au 13 juillet 1998 fixant les attributions et l'organisation de l'inspection générale des services fiscaux. Chapter 2 [ LINK ]

Law No. 06/01 for the prevention and the fight against corruption from 20 February 2006. Title 3, Article 19. [ LINK ] Inspection générale des finances (IGF) Website of the Bank of Algeria [ LINK ]

72b: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) is protected from political interference.

Score:

100

Comments: "The Inspection générale des finances (IGF) is largely ineffective, hierarchically and politically dependent on the Ministry of Finances. In media articles is even suggested that the IGF has its own corruption, ranging from manipulated reports to unmerited promotions of inspectors."

References: Interview with government official, who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

Forum Social Algérie 10 à 15 milliards de dollars sont engloutis par les pots-de-vin by Madjid Makedhi [ LINK ]

72c: In practice, the head of the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) is protected from removal without relevant justification.

Score:

100

Comments: "The head of the IGF can easily be removed from his position by his superiors within the Ministry of Finance, should his actions be perceived as a threat to the political leadership in the country."

References: Interview with a government official, who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

72d: In practice, appointments to the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) are based on professional criteria.

Score:

100

Comments: "The agency IGF is largely ineffective, hierarchically and politically dependent on the Ministry of Finances. In media articles is even suggested that the IGF has its own corruption, ranging from manipulated reports to unmerited promitions of inspectors."

References: Interview with government official, who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

Forum Social Algérie 10 à 15 milliards de dollars sont engloutis par les pots-de-vin by Madjid Makedhi [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: Not applicable.

72e: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) has a professional, full-time staff.

Score:

100

Comments: "Given the widespread corruption within the various government agencies, the Inspection générale des finances (IGF) is hopelessly understaffed and its budget is too small."

References: Interview with a government official, who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

Peer Review Comments: Not applicable.

72f: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) receives regular funding.

Score:

100

$Scoring Criteria :: 100 Score Criteria: The agency (or agencies) has a predictable source of funding that is fairly consistent from year to year. Political considerations are not a major factor in determining agency funding. <p>50 Score Criteria: The agency (or agencies) has a regular source of funding, but may be pressured by cuts, or threats of cuts to the agency budget. Political considerations have an effect on agency funding. <p>0 Score Criteria: The agency\'s funding sources are unreliable. Funding may be removed arbitrarily or as retaliation for agency actions.$

Comments: "Given the widespread corruption within the various government agencies, the Inspection générale des finances (IGF) is hopelessly understaffed and its budget is too small."

References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

Peer Review Comments: Not applicable.

72g: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) makes regular public reports.

Score:

100

Comments:

References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

Le Soir dAlgérie Affaire BRC Les chiffres dun scandale [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: Not applicable.

72h: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) has sufficient powers to carry out its mandate.

Score:

100

Comments: "Given the widespread corruption within the various government agencies, the Inspection générale des finances (IGF) is hopelessly understaffed, its budget is too small and its powers too limited."

The above-mentioned article quotes Djilali Hadjadj, the president of the private organization "Association algérienne de lutte contre la corruption" (AACC) (Algerian organization against corruption. He states that the IGF is effectively blocked in accomplishing its mission, its powers are limited and there exists information reports about manipulated reports and corruption within the IGF itself.

"[...] Selon lui, lInspection générale des finances (IGF) ne travaille pas dune manière cohérente, claire et souffre dinsuffisances en matière de moyens lui permettant daccomplir sa mission. Pis encore, cet organisme de contrôle a été même bloqué. « Il y a eu même des rapports, nous le disons et nous lassumons, qui nont pas été retranscrits dune manière fidèle, il y a eu des rapports manipulés et même de la corruption au sein de lIGF : des inspecteurs qui ont eu des promotions non méritées », a-t-il soutenu. La réforme de cette inspection, annoncée tout récemment par le ministre des Finances, risque, selon notre interlocuteur, déchouer dautant que lIGF ne sera pas détachée de la tutelle et que son indépendance est compromise. La seule garantie de lindépendance de cette inspection reste, a-t-il souligné, sa réhabilitation en élargissant son champ daction. Il faut également que son indépendance soit davantage affirmée. Cela concernera aussi la nouvelle agence gouvernementale de lutte contre la corruption. Cette agence, créée conformément à la loi du 20 février 2006 de lutte contre la corruption, doit, selon lui, jouir dune indépendance totale. [...]"

References: Interview with government official, who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

Forum Social Algérie 10 à 15 milliards de dollars sont engloutis par les pots-de-vin by Madjid Makedhi [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: Not applicable.

72i: In practice, when necessary, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) independently initiates investigations.

Score:

100

Comments: "The IGF (Inspection générale des finances) only takes on wrongdoers, who are not politically powerful enough in order to defend themselves against an investigation by the IGF."

"The agency IGF is largely ineffective, hierarchically and politically dependent on the Ministry of Finances. In media articles, it is even suggested that the IGF has its own corruption, ranging from manipulated reports to unmerited promotions of inspectors."

References: Interview with government official, who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

Forum Social Algérie 10 à 15 milliards de dollars sont engloutis par les pots-de-vin by Madjid Makedhi [ LINK ]

Peer Review Comments: Not applicable.

Can citizens access the anti-corruption agency?

73a: In practice, the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) acts on complaints within a reasonable time period.

Score:

100

Comments: 'Because of its restrictions on personnel, budget and powers, the IGF (Inspection générale des finances) cannot react on citizens' complaints in a professional and swift manner."

References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.

Peer Review Comments: Not applicable.

73b: In practice, citizens can complain to the anti-corruption agency (or agencies) without fear of recrimination.

Score:

100

Comments: "Any complainant, who dares to report criminal acts of a highly-placed government official or a member of the state security forces to any agency, must fear serious repercussions, such as imprisonment, legal action for "defamation", kidnapping or assassination."

References: Interview with government official who wishes to remain anonymous. Date: August 2007.