SIICAC stands for the Solomon Islands Independent Commission Against Corruption. It is the apex national anti-corruption watchdog mandated to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption offences across both public and private sectors in the Solomon Islands.
Origins and Mandate
Establishment: Created under the Anti-Corruption Act 2018 following strong public advocacy and civil society pressure.
Key Functions: The Commission focuses on investigation, prosecution, public education, and corruption prevention. It is also tasked with enforcing the Whistleblowers Protection Act.
Integrity Officers: Under the Act, every public body in the country is required to appoint an Integrity Officer to work alongside SIICAC.
Operations and Challenges
National Strategy: SIICAC operates the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), which outlines plans to safeguard the integrity of public funds and coordinate with other integrity institutions like the Ombudsman, the Leadership Code Commission, and the police.
Institutional Struggles: Despite formally appointing commissioners (chaired by James Apaniai), the watchdog has faced operational delays, staffing shortages, and leadership instability—specifically regarding the delayed appointment of a permanent Director-General.
Current Government Support: The government has allocated dedicated independent funding (around SBD 6.5 million) and initiated efforts to remove SIICAC’s budget from under the Office of the Prime Minister, aiming to grant the commission full financial and operational independence.
Institutional Support
SIICAC works closely with regional and international partners, notably the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has heavily supported the commission with technical advisory, capacity building, and essential IT and operational equipment.
Origins and Mandate
Establishment: Created under the Anti-Corruption Act 2018 following strong public advocacy and civil society pressure.
Key Functions: The Commission focuses on investigation, prosecution, public education, and corruption prevention. It is also tasked with enforcing the Whistleblowers Protection Act.
Integrity Officers: Under the Act, every public body in the country is required to appoint an Integrity Officer to work alongside SIICAC.
Operations and Challenges
National Strategy: SIICAC operates the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), which outlines plans to safeguard the integrity of public funds and coordinate with other integrity institutions like the Ombudsman, the Leadership Code Commission, and the police.
Institutional Struggles: Despite formally appointing commissioners (chaired by James Apaniai), the watchdog has faced operational delays, staffing shortages, and leadership instability—specifically regarding the delayed appointment of a permanent Director-General.
Current Government Support: The government has allocated dedicated independent funding (around SBD 6.5 million) and initiated efforts to remove SIICAC’s budget from under the Office of the Prime Minister, aiming to grant the commission full financial and operational independence.
Institutional Support
SIICAC works closely with regional and international partners, notably the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which has heavily supported the commission with technical advisory, capacity building, and essential IT and operational equipment.