Officials are seen at the African Union (AU) Headquarters in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia, on Feb. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday warned that Africa is not safe for people engaged in corrupt practices.
DAR ES SALAAM, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan on Tuesday warned that Africa is not safe for people engaged in corrupt practices.
"Africa is not a hideout for corrupt people … Engaging in corrupt practices in Africa amounts to playing with fire," said Hassan in Tanzania's northern city of Arusha to mark the African Anti-Corruption Day, adding that Africa should also not be used for laundering money gained through corrupt practices.
As Africa is celebrating its 20th anniversary of the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, Hassan urged fellow African leaders to join forces in the fight against corruption that she said is retarding the continent's development.
Vehicles drive on the Nairobi expressway in Nairobi, Kenya, Dec. 22, 2022. (Xinhua/Han Xu)
She said African leaders should work closely in fighting against corruption because it is a cross-border crime.
"Fighting corruption should be treated as liberation for the African continent," said Hassan in her address televised live by the state-run Tanzania Broadcasting Corporation.
Hassan urged anti-corruption agencies in Africa and other stakeholders to hasten efforts aimed at recovering assets gained through corruption, exchange of suspects facing corruption charges, and exchange of information on corruption syndicates. ■