Combating Low-Level Corruption on Waterways in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Approaches from Bandundu and Equateur Provinces

Abstract

Low level corruption (tracassaries) strangles the everyday life of the citizenry of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). It has become so deeply rooted in the Congolese culture since independence that its existence is virtually accepted as a given. This situation contributes to the DRC being at the very bottom of the world's economic indicators. It contributes to sustained food and livelihood insecurity of its citizenry, while, ironically the DRC boasts to be one of the world's largest repositories of diamonds, gold, coltan, wood and water, along with biological and cultural diversity.

The paper details the response of one U.S. non-profit organization - Innovative Resources Management - to the challenge posed on provincial economic development by tracassaries in the river transport sector. IRM's work has not focused on root causes of tracassaries per se. These causes extend far beyond the daily manifestations of corruption along the waterways to include Kinshasa and arguably, international capitals where financing decisions along with decisions with significant regional geo-political bearing are made. Most of our discussion therefore focuses on the more modest phenomena of local provincial tracassaries. The paper does touch on issues and courses of action that could have a bearing on reducing tracassaries. These inevitably involve addressing corruption at higher structural levels.

Our thesis, from the outset of our DRC work has been that, contrary to conventional wisdom, it is possible to make significant reductions in corruption in a country as endemically corrupt as the DRC. Furthermore, it is also possible to contribute to reductions through United States government sponsored activities. Over the past two years, we have determined that success involves the following four-part formula: (1) Be fully transparent, (2) add value through helping people understand the costs of corruption that they bear, (3) be creative in helping people work out possible solutions to apparently insurmountable dilemmas, (4) be systematic and resolute in following through in compliance concerning commitments.

Keywords: Corruption, tracassaries, Congo, Innovative Resources Management, transparency