Newly integrated agents at the Ministry of Justice have reportedly received a message circulating for a week, soliciting a mandatory contribution of 2,000 F CFA. This message, which has been making the rounds among new hires for the past seven days, explicitly calls for a forced contribution from these individuals. The funds are intended for a gift for Minister of State Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène. The message implicates the Ministry of Justice in a forced contribution scheme targeting its new employees, raising questions about the ethics and legality of such a practice within a government institution. The nature of the request, being a "forced contribution," suggests a lack of voluntary participation from the new agents, who may feel compelled to comply given their recent integration into the ministry.
Details of the Contribution Scheme
The Ministry of Justice's new employees are being asked to contribute 2,000 F CFA each towards the gift for Minister of State Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène. The requested amount is a fixed sum per individual, ensuring an equal contribution from every newly integrated agent. Instructions provided to the new staff detail that these contributions can be processed through Orange Money, a widely used mobile payment service. The specified recipient for these funds is NONGO KETTE Prisca Nadia. Payments are directed to her registered Orange Money account, identified by the phone number 72834782. The message circulated among the newly integrated agents outlines these specific transfer details, indicating the precise method and recipient for the collection of funds, leaving no ambiguity about how the contributions are to be made. This systematic approach to collecting funds further shows the organized nature of the scheme.
Minister's Past Allegations
Arnaud Djoubaye Abazène previously led the Ministry of Transport. During his tenure at this ministry, an article alleges that informal taxes, collection networks, and parallel circuits for collecting money without corresponding public services were established. These practices reportedly involved the collection of funds that did not contribute to public service returns, meaning the money collected did not benefit the public through improved services or infrastructure. The allegations describe a system where various charges were levied outside official channels, suggesting a deliberate circumvention of formal financial procedures and accountability. Such informal taxation and collection networks, if proven, would indicate a pattern of illicit financial activities under his leadership, raising concerns about his conduct in public office and the potential for similar practices in his current role.
Wider Corruption in Bangui
The article characterizes the practice of soliciting funds from new employees as corruption, describing it as money extorted from dependent individuals by someone holding power over their professional future. This perspective suggests a systemic issue beyond individual instances, noting the vulnerability of new employees who might fear repercussions if they do not comply. The article further asserts that officials who have "bought" their positions often perceive themselves as investors aiming to profit from their posts rather than state agents serving citizens. This mindset, according to the article, fundamentally shifts their focus from public service to personal gain. According to the article, similar schemes are prevalent across many ministerial departments in Bangui. These illicit practices reportedly involve individuals paying for various professional advantages, including recruitment, assignments, promotions, or to prevent undesirable transfers within the government structure. This widespread nature of such schemes paints a concerning picture of institutional corruption, where positions and career advancements are commodified rather than earned through merit, ultimately undermining public trust and effective governance.
