President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, on the occasion of International Anti-Corruption Day, has stressed the importance of integrity and urged everyone to reject any form of corruption. In a social media post on the occasion, he highlighted the significance of being true in both words and actions.
International Anti-Corruption Day is observed to raise awareness about corruption and the role of the United Nations Convention against Corruption in combating and preventing it. The U.N. General Assembly adopted the Convention on 31 October 2003, and since then, 190 parties have committed to its anti-corruption obligations, demonstrating a near-universal recognition of the importance of good governance, accountability, and political commitment.
In his message, President Dr Muizzu urged all individuals to abstain from accepting or soliciting any actions that could be perceived as corrupt. He advised that even if offered something that could be construed as a bribe, individuals should firmly decline.
President Dr Muizzu also underscored the critical importance of using both words and actions to safeguard society from corruption, which undermines democratic institutions, impedes economic development, and leads to governmental instability.
The theme for International Anti-Corruption Day 2024 is "Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity." Corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions by distorting electoral processes, perverting the rule of law, and creating bureaucratic obstacles designed to solicit bribes. It stunts economic development by discouraging foreign direct investment and making it difficult for small businesses to overcome the "start-up costs" associated with corruption.