I recently came across a tweet by @MAGAFORCE777 that caught my attention:
“Map gives a rough indication, but main countries would include Tonga, PNG, Vanuatu, as they have less to give to develop their own nation due to issues such as corruption. I’m not an expert, just getting my sources from videos and articles.”

This comment made me pause and reflect on the reality in Vanuatu. Every election cycle here brings renewed hope. Political leaders come forward with ambitious promises, and governments quickly put together their 100-day plans and long-term development strategies. These plans often include goals like improving infrastructure, boosting education, expanding healthcare, and strengthening the economy. Yet, as time passes, a critical factor frequently undermines these efforts — corruption.

From my perspective, corruption acts like a silent saboteur in Vanuatu’s development. It erodes public trust, wastes precious resources, and weakens institutions. When corruption takes hold, it chips away at the foundation of even the most carefully designed government plans, no matter how urgently needed they are.

Map gives a rough indication, but main countries would include Tonga, PNG, Vanuatu, as they have less to give to develope their own nation due to issues such as corruption.

I'm not an expert, just getting my sources from videos and articles. pic.twitter.com/GsThf0ZDFb

— Les IV (@MAGAFORCE777) May 31, 2025

Many government officials genuinely want to bring change, but the persistence of corrupt practices — whether in awarding contracts, mismanagement of funds, or nepotism — creates roadblocks. These practices divert money away from essential public services and projects, slowing progress and leaving many communities behind. The result? Development plans that fall short, frustrated citizens, and a cycle of mistrust that repeats with every election.

A striking example comes from Burkina Faso, where Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba Traoré took power through a coup in 2022. One of his very first actions was to tackle corruption head-on. Understanding that corruption was a root cause of public frustration and governance failure, Traoré launched investigations into corrupt officials, froze suspicious assets, and promised to hold government workers accountable. His swift anti-corruption drive was meant to restore trust and set the stage for better governance, showing how seriously corruption undermines development anywhere it takes hold.

What worries us most is how easily corruption can become normalized, almost accepted as part of doing business. This complacency is dangerous. It risks turning Vanuatu’s bright potential into missed opportunities. Instead of focusing on innovative policies and efficient service delivery, the conversation often shifts to damage control and crisis management.

Major Corruption Cases Expose Governance Challenges in Vanuatu

Vanuatu has faced several significant corruption cases in recent years, highlighting ongoing challenges in governance and accountability. In October 2015, a major scandal unfolded when Deputy Prime Minister Moana Carcasses and 13 other Members of Parliament were convicted of bribery. The Supreme Court found that Carcasses had offered a total of 35 million vatu (approximately $312,000) to opposition MPs to secure their support in a no-confidence motion. The convicted MPs, including Speaker Marcellino Pipite and Foreign Minister Serge Vohor, received sentences ranging from three to four years in prison. Notably, Pipite controversially pardoned himself and the others, but the Supreme Court later ruled the pardons unconstitutional.

In 2018, former principal aid negotiator Victor Rory was convicted on multiple counts of theft and money laundering. He was sentenced to eight years in prison for misappropriating European development funds intended for public infrastructure projects.

Additionally, in 2023, a legal dispute arose over the alleged corrupt sale of Vanuatu’s mackerel fishing rights to Unimed Glory SA, a Panamanian company. The government claimed the rights were sold without proper authorization and for a fraction of their market value, leading to a court case in the High Court of England.

These cases underscore the persistent issues of corruption within Vanuatu’s political and administrative systems, emphasizing the need for continued reforms and strengthened institutions to promote transparency and accountability.

An Example of a 100-Day Plan to Tackle Corruption in Vanuatu

If Vanuatu is serious about real development, the first 100 days of any new government must put corruption front and center. Long-term goals around infrastructure, education, and the economy cannot succeed if corruption continues to erode trust, steal resources, and weaken institutions. A focused 100-day anti-corruption plan sets the stage for meaningful change. Here’s what such a plan could look like:

Week 1–2: Public Commitment and Transparency Measures

• Issue a national anti-corruption declaration signed by all cabinet members and MPs.
• Launch a public transparency dashboard to publish ministerial spending, travel, and procurement activities.
• Mandate asset declarations for all elected officials and senior public servants.

Week 3–4: Strengthen Oversight Institutions

• Empower the Office of the Ombudsman with more funding and independent hiring authority.
• Review and reinforce the powers of the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) to investigate money laundering and suspicious transactions.
• Establish a fast-track anti-corruption task force including police, prosecutors, and auditors.

Week 5–6: Public Awareness and Citizen Reporting

• Roll out a national anti-corruption media campaign in Bislama, English, and French.
• Create a safe and anonymous whistleblower hotline, with legal protections and incentives for reports that lead to convictions.
• Engage churches, chiefs, and youth groups in spreading awareness and community watchdog efforts.

Week 7–8: Clean-Up Within Government

• Audit all current government contracts and tenders from the past 2 years.
• Suspend or investigate officials flagged in past Auditor General or Ombudsman reports.
• Cancel “ghost” public service positions and fake allowances used to drain public funds.

Week 9–10: Legal and Policy Reforms

• Table an updated Anti-Corruption Bill in Parliament, based on best practices from the region.
• Introduce laws to criminalize unexplained wealth among public officials.
• Ensure mandatory jail terms for convicted corrupt officials and bar them from future office.

Week 11–14: International Partnerships and Sustainability

• Seek support from Transparency International, UNDP, and Australia/Pacific partners to train law enforcement and judicial officers.
• Join or strengthen participation in global anti-corruption networks such as the UNCAC (UN Convention Against Corruption).
• Create a permanent Anti-Corruption Commission with independent powers and cross-party support.

A 100-day anti-corruption plan will not fix everything overnight — but it will send a loud and clear message that business as usual is over. It will restore public trust, free up resources for genuine development, and give Vanuatu a clean foundation to build the future every Ni-Vanuatu deserves.

The Essential Fight Against Corruption for Real Progress in Vanuatu

Breaking this cycle requires more than good plans — it demands strong political will, transparency, and accountability. Citizens must have access to information and a voice in governance. Public officials should be held to the highest ethical standards, and mechanisms must be in place to detect and punish corrupt practices swiftly.

Corruption is the invisible enemy that can destroy even the best 100-day plans. For Vanuatu to truly advance, tackling corruption head-on must be a priority, not an afterthought. Only then can the government’s promises translate into real progress for every Ni-Vanuatu.