Creating a Supreme Anti-Corruption Council

When the administration created the Supreme Anti-Corruption Council, and appointed Judge Ranaivoharivony Bakolalao as its president, it was a moment Madagascar?s primary financial backers have been anxiously waiting for. Judge Bakolalao was officially introduced to the representatives of Madagascar?s financial partners, and to the media during a formal swearing in ceremony held at the presidential palace on July 4, 2003. Given that the financial backers have been demanding more of a commitment from Madagascar in the way of anti-corruption, for at least a decade, this initiative definitely marks an undeniable turning point. The Supreme Council?s mission, in a nutshell, is to eradicate corruption. A strategic plan will be formulated more clearly over the next few months. From the day he declared that he would run for the presidency, Mr. Ravalomanana has promised to make the war against corruption one of his priorities. He is keenly aware that, without a firm commitment in this direction, it would be difficult to secure the kind of financial support the island so direly needs.

Prior to her appointment to this new position, Judge Bakolalao was Dean of the National School of Law. Her first assignment as a judge was as a deputy prosecutor for Fianarantsoa?s provincial court.

The president?s aim is to create an anti-corruption agency within one year. The creation of the supreme anti-corruption council is but one step toward this goal.