“Corruption in the defence sector is particularly destabilising... and particularly in developing economies, where the dependency on developed countries is quite apparent" - Edward Hoseah, Director General, Tanzanian Prevention of Corruption Bureau

The close interdependency of development and security is increasingly being recognised. Corruption is costly and a waste of a country's scarce resources; whether through artificially inflated defence budgets, unnecessary procurements, payment of 'ghost' soldiers, corrupt privatizations, or asset sales, corruption in the defence sector represents the theft of public money, finances which could be invested in more socially productive investments and which could contribute to the economic and social development of the country. 

Defence and security are often expensive areas of the national budget, even when they are conducted with integrity, and corruption in defence and security can be an extremely costly drain on the national budget. Government money lost through defence and security corruption means less money to spend on things like health, education, infrastructure, and development. 

Adequate security is regarded as one of the key conditions for development and growth, and corruption often contributes to conflicts. Development partners and donors are increasingly conscious of the need to address security concerns to foster an environment capable of economic and social development.  As DFID’s 2006 policy paper “Preventing Violent Conflict” argues, “The average cost of one conflict is nearly equivalent to the value of annual development aid worldwide”. These considerations have led to increased interest in corruption in the defence and security sectors. While corruption is itself a major factor contributing to civil conflict, the effects of defence sector corruption contribute very directly to poverty insecurity in poor countries.

defence corruption in conflicts

The presence of defence corruption has been suggested as a factor in several conflicts.  In Angola, high military spending provided considerable opportunities for corruption, with exploitation of resource deposits allowing the ruling party to buy, use, and resupply expensive weapon systems through a dense network of private companies and foreign governments. Corruption through personal favours and gifts, including so-called 'blood diamonds,' maintained this network.   Similarly, in Nigeria, tension in the oil-rich Niger Delta is aggravated by the alleged theft of revenues by armed groups with government ties. Across the continent, corruption has exacerbated conflict and diminished opportunities for lasting peace.

Corruption in armed forces is often embedded in the very fabric of a conflict, both in state militaries and non-state rebels. The common practice of military patronage through corruption ensures that military commanders have a stake in continued conflict.  Corruption in conflict gives some stakeholders, especially those in power or even those who are able to hold limited power, the opportunity to enrich themselves, thereby acting as a disincentive to ending conflict.  When leaders rely on corruption as a means of ensuring loyalty of the military, top officials benefit from the continuation of conflict (read more).  For these generals and top level officials, conflict is a ticket to wealth accumulation.

Global Witness has numerous publications that cover the impact of corruption and natural resource-fuelled conflict. 

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