Corruption trends in the Middle East and North Africa Region (2007-2011)

Abstract

Query What do anti-corruption indexes and experts say about the levels and types of corruption in MENA countries over the last five years? What are the main areas and sources of corruption? Are there specific themes and issues that are common to a number of countries? What record do governments have in tackling corruption? Are there any examples of successful anti-corruption reforms in countries in the MENA region over the past five years? We are especially interested in country based issues - rather than regional – for Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia and Libya. Summary Revolutions sweeping across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region during 2011 have shone light on widespread corruption, particularly political corruption in the form of stolen assets by seemingly all the deposed leaders. There also has been widespread evidence of prolific patronage, nepotism, and collusion between the public and private sectors that has contributed to the heightened levels of civil unrest and public protests