February 2024
Legal Sources
United Nations Convention against Corruption of 2005
Law on the fight against corruption and related offences
Law governing declarations of assets and liabilities of senior officials
Executive Summary
Although Togo has ratified the United Nations Convention against Corruption, which contains numerous provisions aimed at promoting the establishment of effective reporting tools, this country lacks any legal framework regarding the protection of whistleblowers.
The adoption of a new Constitution in 2019 and the Declaration of assets and liabilities of high-level personalities and public officials in 2020, coupled with the development of the National Anti-corruption Strategy, have been positive signals regarding good governance.
However, several challenges remain, such as ensuring freedom of expression, especially for journalists, the effective enforcement of existing national laws, overlapping responsibilities among government bodies, and limited implementation of ratified international standards. These elements can constitute obstacles to progress toward a democratic society.
Knowledge, Support, and Action Centres
The association “Veille Citoyenne Togo” was created in 2019 and is engaged in citizen monitoring of public policies impacting the lives of populations. This association promotes citizen oversight of public action (citizen monitoring of transparency in public procurement, promoting transparency in the national and local budgetary process, fighting against corruption and impunity, and denouncing cases of embezzlement and mismanagement of public resources).
“Veille Citoyenne Togo” also intervenes in advocacy, dialogue, and negotiation. The association regularly organises training sessions and awareness-raising workshops and facilitates thematic groups and citizen participation cells.
There is also the association “RAC-Togo,” which was created in 2015. Its objectives include supporting the establishment and operationalisation of a platform of CSOs in the fight against corruption. It also informs citizens and communities about the negative impacts of corruption on development. It also strengthens the capacities of various actors (public officials, private sector, and civil society organisations) on national and international anti-corruption instruments. The network also supports legal and institutional reforms in the fight against corruption and the enforcement of anti-corruption laws through investigative activities, operations/arrests, and legal and judicial assistance.
