Global Integrity Report HomeGlobal Integrity Home
The Global Integrity Report (report.globalintegrity.org)
2007 Assessment

Burundi: Integrity Indicators Scorecard

Burundi: Integrity Scorecard Report > Sub-Category: Privatization
Indicators   Score
50 Is the privatization process effective? 67
51 Can citizens access the terms and conditions of privatization bids? 85

Indicator and sub-Indicator Details

50 Is the privatization process effective?
 
  50a: In law, all businesses are eligible to compete for privatized state assets.
 
Score: YES  NO score
  Comments:

References: Article 5 de la Loi n°1/ 07 du 10 septembre 2002 portant révision de la loi sur l'organisation de la privatisation des entreprises publiques.

  50b: In law, there are regulations addressing conflicts of interest for government officials involved in privatization.
 
Score: YES  NO score
  Comments:

References: Article 8 de la loi N°1/ 07 du 10 septembre 2002 portant révision de la loi sur l'organisation de la privatisation des entreprises publiques.

  50c: In practice, conflicts of interest regulations for government officials involved in privatization are enforced.
 
Score: 100  75  50  25  0  score
  Comments:

References: Interview with businessmen

Peer Review Comments: Privatization was halted in the 90s and is just beginning to be used as a tool again.

51 Can citizens access the terms and conditions of privatization bids?
 
  51a: In law, citizens can access privatization regulations.
 
Score: YES  NO score
  Comments:

References: Article 5 de la loi N°1/ 07 du 10 septembre portant révision de la loi sur l'organisation de la privatisation des entreprises publiques.

  51b: In practice, privitizations are effectively advertised.
 
Score: 100  75  50  25  0  score
  Comments:

References: Interview with a member of the budgetary commission in the National Assembly.

Interview with Aster Girukwigomba, a former minister of finances currently a private consultant.

  51c: In law, the government is required to publicly announce the results of privatization decisions.
 
Score: YES  NO score
  Comments:

References: Article 5 de la loi N°1/ 07 du 10 septembre 2002 portant révision de la loi sur l'oganisation de la privatisation des entreprises publiques.

  51d: In practice, citizens can access privatization regulations within a reasonable time period.
 
Score: 100  75  50  25  0  score
  Comments:

References: Interview with Dismas Baransaka, economist, private consultant and former director general of the planning of development and reconstruction, Aug. 27, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with businessmen, Aug. 27, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Peer Review Comments: I consider this a bit optimistic, especially for smaller scale and less well-connected businessmen.

  51e: In practice, citizens can access privatization regulations at a reasonable cost.
 
Score: 100  75  50  25  0  score
  Comments:

References: Interview with Dismas Baransaka, economist, private consultant and former director general of the planning of development and reconstruction, Aug. 27, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Interview with businessmen, Aug. 27, 2007, in Bujumbura.

Peer Review Comments: A bit optimistic, as well, given the real-life costs of everything: the time spent waiting and coming back, copying, hoping you got the real information, maybe bribing the right person to get it, figuring out who the right person really is, and so on.

The problem with many of these questions is that they are very theoretical, essentially transplanting a Western model of public integrity to Burundi. But the place does not work at all in that manner. The state is far too weak, the ambient poverty too high, the level of civil service too low, and the rule of law too absent, to make any of these mechanisms, even if they exist, a true mechanism of transparency and counter-power for all. Partly, this is deliberately maintained by those who benefit from it (among other means, through widespread corruption), and partly it is also the result of many other, deeper economic and social factors.

Peer Review Comments: For one outside of the capital, it costs time and money.

Global Integrity uses a Creative Commons licence, unless noted here: Terms of Use.
1029 Vermont Ave NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005 USA
Phone: 1.202.449.4100   -   Fax: 1.866.681.8047   -   info@globalintegrity.org