Addressing the High-Level Africa Civil Society Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference 2025 in Gaborone, His Excellency Boko emphasized that the fight against illicit finance and the shrinking of civic space must begin with self-examination and moral courage. “Money laundering exists because people—often those entrusted with public resources—seek to enrich themselves,” President Boko declared in his keynote address. “We must shine the spotlight on ourselves. It takes courage to confront our own weaknesses. When we submit to self-examination, we build societies that welcome scrutiny rather than fear it.”
The President commended the Civic Advisory Hub (CAH) of Uganda and Spaces for Change (S4C) of Nigeria for convening the continental forum, describing their efforts as pivotal in ensuring that African voices shape Africa’s financial integrity agenda. “It is through such partnerships that we will build an Africa rooted in trust, accountability, and shared responsibility,” he said.
The three-day conference, held from October 15 to 17, 2025, at the Gaborone International Convention Centre, was themed “Placing Civic Space at the Heart of Combating Money Laundering, Countering Terrorism, and Its Financing in Africa.” Over 200 delegates from 54 African countries attended, including government officials, policymakers, regional bodies, financial intelligence units, multilateral agencies, academics, and civil society leaders. The event was co-convened by Civic Advisory Hub and Spaces for Change, with support from the Government of Botswana, the Ford Foundation, the Mott Foundation, Funds for Global Human Rights, the Human Security Collective, and the Institute of Illicit Financial Flows at the University of Botswana.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Major General (Rtd.) Pius Mokgware, Botswana’s Minister of Labour and Home Affairs, described the conference as “the most important moment of our lives,” calling for collective action against the growing threats of money laundering and terrorism financing. “We live in a very dynamic world,” he said. “It is a world that is weak, confused, and violent. You cannot predict what will happen next, and that is why we are gathered here—to collaborate, to network, and to build new ways of addressing money laundering and terrorism financing.”
Mokgware warned that illicit financial flows recognize no borders. “These problems do not have boundaries. Money laundered in one country will destroy another. You cannot say, adding, “The is not happening in my country.’ It is happening right under our noses,” he cautioned. He linked financial crimes to the proliferation of drugs, corruption, and social decay, adding: “The bad side of money laundering and terrorism is human suffering. These challenges require strategic thinking, strategic approaches, and accountability. Each one of us should be able to account for every money that comes into our account.”
Yona Wanjala, Executive Director of the Civic Advisory Hub, cautioned that some governments were weaponizing AML/CFT frameworks against civic organizations. “While well-intentioned, these frameworks have been weaponized in some countries to disrupt the operations of civil society,” he warned.“We see the erosion of human rights and good governance. We see democracy retreating.”
Echoing his call, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, Executive Director of Spaces for Change (S4C), noted that the compliance demands of existing AML/CFT systems often overwhelm smaller non-profits. “Today, our work involves compliance, reporting, licensing, sanction screening, and multiple audits—often at great cost to smaller organizations,” she said. “While these measures are necessary, they must not suffocate the very organizations that deliver social impact.”She referred to a UN Special Rapporteur’s report, which revealed that thousands of NGOs worldwide have been forced to shut down due to overregulation. “Civil society is an ally, not an adversary, in the fight against financial crime,” she asserted. “We must balance compliance with compassion and oversight with freedom.”
Otto Saki, Global Program Officer for Civic Engagement and Government at the Ford Foundation, emphasized the need for inclusion and representation, warning that excluding women and marginalized groups from policy processes weakens governance. “Exclusion erodes trust, weakens resilience, and ultimately undermines collective security,” Saki said. “When civic space thrives, accountability strengthens, and when citizens are heard, resilience grows. ”He praised African organizations for ensuring that the financial integrity debate remains people-centered and rights-based.“We must ensure that civic space informs, shapes, and drives policy processes,” he added.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Edwin Woryonwon Harris Jr., Director General of the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), reaffirmed his organization’s support for civil society partnerships. “Of the US$546,000 in cash grants to civil society organizations in West Africa, US$200,000 was given to organizations in the Mano River Union to work on countering violent extremism with religious leaders in Guinea, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, and Liberia, and in northwestern Nigeria,” he revealed. “We also provided US$265,000 to twelve civil society organizations across West Africa to work on asset recovery and community initiatives.” “We learned valuable lessons to take to West Africa and look forward to continuing this partnership,” he said. Urging African civil society to build their capacity, he added, “Equip yourselves, expand your knowledge, and you will become more relevant. The space you are asking for today will be given to you when your skills and expertise make you indispensable.”
Culled from NEWS GHANA: https://newsghana24.com/president-boko-rallies-africa-to-self-reflection-and-integrity-in-botswana-as-leaders-unite-to-defend-civic-space-freedom/
