Saturday September 30, 2023 in Brazzaville, Jean-Baptiste Ondaye, Minister of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Congo and current President of the Action Group against Money Laundering in Central Africa (GABAC), sponsored the work of the 12th Statutory Plenary of the said Group. In the presence, in particular, of his peers in charge of Finance, Justice and Security of the member countries of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), member country associate, as well as the Permanent Secretary of GABAC, the Congolese André Kanga.

In his speech for the occasion, Jean-Baptiste Ondaye, firstly, invited GABAC to “further sharpen its weapons and redouble its efforts”, because, according to him, “financial crime increasingly resembles, unfortunately , to a phoenix which is reborn each time from its ashes, due in particular to technological developments. But, however tough it may be, the battle against money laundering in our community must continue with more determination, with more vigor.”

Then, the speaker underlined that the fight against “dirty money” responds to a triple necessity, namely: a moral necessity, the justification of which is obvious; an economic necessity, which aims to guarantee the solidity and stability of the economic and financial system; finally, a necessity on which the effectiveness of all the others depends: that of safeguarding the peace and stability of our States. Peace and stability without which any ambition for development will remain a mere wishful thinking.”

This amply justifies the determination of the GABAC States to fight for the strengthening of the integrity of the financial system in their area.

The Communication Unit of the Ministry of Economy and Finance