View of the Achrafieh hill in Beirut. (Credit: Philippe Hage Boutros/L'Orient-Le Jour)
Lebanon is sinking further into corruption, according to the latest edition of the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) in the world published Tuesday by the NGO Transparency International. The results reveal a deterioration in the position and score of Lebanon, which obtained a score of 22 out of 100, down two points compared to the previous year. The country also lost five places, ranking 154th out of 180, compared to 149th in 2023.
The CPI, which assesses the perception of corruption in the public sector, relies on the analysis of at least three data sources from 13 surveys and evaluations conducted by reputable institutions, such as the World Bank and the World Economic Forum. The scale ranges from zero (high corruption) to 100 (absence of corruption).
'Political climate of change'
The central theme of this edition explores the links between corruption and climate change, the latter being described as "one of the greatest challenges facing humanity today." However, in a Lebanon facing a multitude of challenges – economic, social, and institutional – the issue of climate change, although crucial, is not among the immediate priorities, the NGO told L'Orient-Le-Jour.
Transparency International mentioned a "political climate of change," marked by a reconfiguration of the national landscape after years of instability. The election of President Joseph Aoun, the appointment of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, and the recent formation of a new government "pave the way for a renewed national vision," the institution estimates in a press release.
The two leaders, committed to a reformist approach since early January, embody a willingness to break with traditional practices. Advocating for transparency and good governance, they aspire to a positive change capable of restoring citizens' confidence and relaunching institutions on solid foundations. A turning point that, according to the NGO, could rebuild trust and modernize governance, provided that deep reforms are undertaken after years of administrative failures and systemic corruption.
The price of inaction
However, Lebanon's two-point drop highlights "the price of inaction," Transparency International reminds us. Political speeches, "however inspiring they may be," are not enough to erase decades of corruption. This scourge, deeply rooted in institutions, "hinders economic recovery, undermines citizens' trust, and compromises the country's future," warns the NGO.
Transparency International set up platforms intended to empower citizens, civil society and decision-makers to ensure the accountability of institutions. These platforms, to be launched in the coming months, aim to capitalize on current momentum and address pressing governance challenges:
- LAMP (Lebanon Aid Monitoring Platform) acts as a watchdog on aid and reconstruction efforts, ensuring transparency in crisis response and governance.
- Ekhbar offers a secure and anonymous platform allowing citizens to report corruption, thus reinforcing the demand for judicial independence and equality before the law.
- REHUB supports civil society in its anti-corruption efforts, bridging the gap between grassroots activism and national politics.
- School of Governance (SoG) trains the next generation of leaders and decision-makers, providing them with the knowledge and tools necessary to institutionalize integrity and good governance.
Syria records the worst score among Arab countries
Regionally, the average among Arab countries fell this year to a record low of 34. Among the highest-ranked Arab countries are the United Arab Emirates (68), Qatar (59), and Saudi Arabia (59). Conversely, countries at war during the year such as Libya (13), Yemen (13), and Syria (12) record the worst scores. Notable improvements include Bahrain (53), which improved by 17 points from 36 in 2017, and Kuwait (46), up seven points from 39. Lebanon, with a score of 22, experienced the largest decline, losing six points compared to 28 in 2019.
Globally, Denmark remains at the top of the ranking with 90 points, while South Sudan is at the bottom with 8 points.
This article was originally published in French in L'Orient-Le Jour.