Mozambique Revises Public Probity Law, Allowing Former Public Servants to Rejoin Relevant Institutions

Mozambique's government, along with the ruling party Frelimo and opposition parties Renamo and MDM, has reached a consensus to revise the Public Probity Law. This revision will lift the existing ban that prevented former public servants from working with institutions they had relevant connections with during their previous employment.

The agreement marks a significant shift in Mozambique's approach to public service regulations. Previously, the law aimed to prevent conflicts of interest by restricting former public servants from joining institutions they had dealings with. The revision is expected to impact the career trajectories of many former officials, enabling them to leverage their experience and connections more freely.

Why this matters: This revision of the Public Probity Law has significant implications for Mozambique's governance and public sector, as it affects the career trajectories of former officials and the institutions they interact with. The potential consequences of this change could lead to increased transparency and accountability, or conversely, create opportunities for corruption and conflicts of interest.

This development comes amidst broader discussions on transparency and accountability within Mozambique's public institutions. Recently, the Mozambican parliament rejected a proposal to subject the central bank to supervision by the Administrative Tribunal. The Centre for Public Integrity (CIP) criticized this move, stating that oversight by the Administrative Tribunal is vital for ensuring compliance with laws and preventing corruption.

Rogério Zandamela, Governor of the Bank of Mozambique, defended the institution's transparency, stating, "The bank's accounts are audited, it's very important that [the bank] is not a 'black box' where no one knows what's there. This is not the case – our accounts are audited by an external and independent auditor, and published." He further emphasized, "We are not afraid of the audit, we work within the law."

Despite these assurances, opposition parties Renamo and MDM have expressed concerns that excluding the Bank of Mozambique from the Administrative Tribunal's oversight could reduce transparency. They argue that such measures could allow the central bank to operate without sufficient scrutiny.

The revision of the Public Probity Law is seen as a move to modernize and adapt Mozambique's regulatory framework to current realities. It reflects an effort to balance the need for preventing conflicts of interest with the practicalities of leveraging experienced professionals in key sectors.

As Mozambique continues to contend with these changes, the impact of the revised law on the public sector's integrity and efficiency will be closely monitored. The ongoing debate over transparency and accountability highlights the challenges and complexities of governance in the country.

Key Takeaways

• Mozambique revises Public Probity Law, lifting ban on former public servants working with connected institutions.
• Revision aims to balance preventing conflicts of interest with leveraging experienced professionals.
• Change may impact career trajectories of former officials and institutions they interact with.
• Opposition parties express concerns over reduced transparency in central bank oversight.
• Revision sparks debate on transparency, accountability, and governance in Mozambique.