BY ISMAILA YALCOUYE
INTRODUCTION
Corruption remains a persistent scourge in Mali, affecting all aspects of daily life. Young people, as an important demographic group and a driving force for change, play a crucial role in the fight against this phenomenon. This study, conducted as part of the LUCEG project (Projet d’Appui à la Lutte contre la Corruption pour et par l’égalité de Genre), aims to deepen understanding of young people’s perceptions of corruption in Mali, focusing on its negative effects on women and girls and mapping inequalities.
BACKGROUND AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
Corruption is a major obstacle to socio-economic development and good governance in sub Saharan Africa (World Bank, 2015). In Mali, corruption is deeply rooted in institutions and daily practices, negatively affecting citizens’ trust in institutions and hindering the delivery of quality public services (TI, 2021). Young people, as a dynamic demographic group representing a large proportion of the population, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of corruption. They may fall victim to corrupt practices when accessing education, health, employment or other essential services (Uddin et al., 2018). In addition, corruption can undermine young people’s trust in democratic institutions and processes, leading them to engage in anti-social behaviour or migrate to other countries (Johnston, 2016).
Several studies have explored young people’s perceptions of corruption in different contexts. A study in Kenya found that young people perceive corruption as a major obstacle to their personal and professional development (Transparency International Kenya, 2015). Another study in Uganda highlighted the link between young people’s perceptions of corruption and their civic engagement, indicating that young people who perceive corruption as widespread are less likely to engage in advocacy or voting (Kassim et al., 2017).
METHODOLOGY
The study was conducted as part of the LUCEG project, which aims to strengthen the fight against corruption in Mali. The methodology used was based on a quantitative and qualitative approach. The study sample consisted of 210 young people aged between 18 and 80, living in the six communes of the Bamako district and the rural commune of Kalabancoro. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews conducted by trained interviewers. The interviews focused on young people’s knowledge of corruption, its impacts, corrupt practices involving girls and young people, young people’s perceptions of the link between corruption and the current crisis in Mali, identification of the socio-cultural factors that promote or combat corruption, assessment of young people’s knowledge of existing anti corruption mechanisms and how they have evolved over the past three years, identification of initiatives taken by young people to combat corruption and, finally, assessment of the level of commitment of young people and the potential represented by young people in the fight against corruption.
RESULTS
PREVALENCE AND UNDERSTANDING OF CORRUPTION
Almost all (96%) of respondents to the survey said that corruption exists in Mali, but 3% said it did not, and 1% said they did not know. More than three quarters of respondents (88%) on the definition of corruption said that it is “offering money or a service to someone in a position of power in exchange for an undue advantage”. These results indicate a growing awareness of corruption among young Malians.
THE IMPACT OF CORRUPTION ON YOUNG PEOPLE
The results of the study reveal that corruption has a significant negative impact on young people, particularly women and girls. Young people are victims of corrupt practices when accessing education, health, employment and other essential services. Corruption can also limit young people’s employment opportunities and hinder their participation in public life. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to the effects of corruption, as they are often victims of discrimination and abuse of power.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S PERCEPTIONS OF THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION
Young Malians are sceptical about the effectiveness of current anti-corruption efforts. They believe that national anti-corruption structures, such as the Office of the Auditor General (BVG) and the Central Office for the Fight against Illicit Enrichment (OCLEI), are not sufficiently effective in combating large-scale corruption. In addition, young people perceive a lack of transparency and accountability in the actions of anti-corruption structures.
Despite this scepticism, young Malians also express a desire to get involved in the fight against corruption. They recognise the potential of young people to contribute to positive change and are ready to get involved in anti-corruption initiatives. However, they need adequate support and accountability from the authorities and civil society organisations.
RECOMMENDATIONS
BASED ON THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY, THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE:
Strengthen civic and legal education for young people: It is essential to make young people aware of the harmful effects of corruption and to provide them with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Civic and legal education programmes should be
integrated into school curricula and awareness-raising campaigns should be conducted in communities.
Promote the active involvement of young people in the fight against corruption: Young people should be encouraged to participate in anti-corruption initiatives, such as monitoring corrupt practices, denouncing acts of corruption and participating in advocacy activities. Platforms and mechanisms should be put in place to facilitate the participation of young people in the fight against corruption.
Improve the effectiveness of anti-corruption structures and mechanisms: National anti corruption structures should be strengthened in terms of resources, capacity and independence. Efforts should be made to ensure transparency and accountability in the actions of these structures.
Strengthen cooperation between young people, the authorities and civil society: Close dialogue and cooperation between young people, the authorities and civil society organisations are essential for an effective fight against corruption. Consultation and collaboration mechanisms should be put in place to encourage the participation of young people in the development and implementation of anti-corruption policies.
Promote values of ethics and integrity: Education and promotion of values of ethics and integrity are crucial to fighting corruption in the long term. Ethics promotion programmes should be implemented in schools, public institutions and communities.
CONCLUSION
The fight against corruption in Mali requires a multidimensional approach that involves all players in society, including young people. Young people in Mali have a crucial role to play in the fight against corruption, and their involvement is essential for positive change. By strengthening the education of young people, promoting their active involvement and improving the effectiveness of anti-corruption structures, Mali can move towards a fairer and more equitable society.
REFERENCES
World Bank. (2015). Corruption in sub-Saharan Africa: Costs, causes and consequences. Washington, D.C.: World Bank.
Johnston, P. (2016). Corruption and migration in Africa: A review of the literature. Journal of African Migration, 13(2), 189-212.
Kassim, S., Nabakooba, S., & Odong, J. (2017). Youth perception of corruption and civic engagement in Uganda. Journal of African Elections, 16(2), 1-22.
Transparency International. (2021). Corruption Perceptions Index 2021. Berlin, Germany: Transparency International.
Transparency International Kenya (2015). Youth perceptions of corruption in Kenya. Nairobi, Kenya: Transparency International Kenya.
Uddin, S., Khan, M. A., & Ahmed, S. (2018). Impact of corruption on youth access to education in Pakistan. Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 13(2), 22
