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Training Programme in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (Nov. - Dec. 2010)

In October 2009, the Ministry of Justice in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), through the Swiss Embassy in Kinshasa, requested the assistance of the International Centre for Asset Recovery (ICAR) in reinforcing the capacity of the country’s justice sector to fight corruption. Based on its findings during a scoping mission held in Kinshasa at the end of February 2010, experts for the ICAR developed and conducted an interactive financial investigations/asset recovery training programme in the DRC during the period 29 November to 2 December 2010.  The aim of the programme was to enhance the capacity of the DRC’s key law enforcement agencies to analyse, investigate and prosecute international bribery cases.  The programme was attended by investigators, prosecutors and representatives of the La Cellule Nationale des Renseignements Financiers (CENAREF), the Observatory of the Code of Ethics of Public Officials (OCEP) and the National Police.

The heart of the training was a practical exercise during which the participants investigate a simulated corruption case.  It also involves money laundering and the tracing/recovery of assets, following leads and collecting relevant information and/or evidence. In addition to formal lectures given by the ICAR trainers which serve as a basis for the practical exercise, relevant presentations were also given by Ms Jouhaida Hanano of the UNODC Division for Treaty Affairs and Mr Philippe de Koster, Deputy Director of the Belgian Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The training programme was officially closed by the DRC Minister of Justice, Mr Luzolo Bambi Lessa, and the Swiss Ambassador, Mr von Castelmur, both of whom provided invaluable support for the training.