Katamelo warns against undisclosed campaign funding risks to democracy

Speaking at a consultation on political party and campaign financing transparency and integrity in Namibia, organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime UNODC with support from the Norwegian government, Katamelo emphasized that political success should be measured by morality and integrity, not just positions or material gains. He noted that politicians can become instruments of corruption when accepting campaign funds without understanding the donors' intentions, suggesting that businesspeople might use such funding to advance their interests once politicians gain power. Katamelo stressed that regulating political financing should include both politicians and those providing the money.

Francesco Checchi, UNODC team leader for the corruption and financial crime hub for Africa, added that poorly regulated political finances can lead to the exclusion of young people from democratic participation, misallocation of public resources, and increased influence of vested interests. He highlighted that weak regulatory frameworks and oversight mechanisms make political parties vulnerable to illicit financing. Checchi referenced Resolution 11/7 adopted last year at the UN Convention against Corruption, which calls for greater transpa