Court of Auditors Chief responds to concerns over new probe

Abdelaziz Koulouh, the Secretary General of the Court of Auditors, expressed surprise at the widespread fear among public officials when the Court or its regional councils begin investigations. He described this fear as unwarranted, except for those involved in financial crimes such as embezzlement or intentional mismanagement of public funds.

Speaking before the Justice, Legislation, and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives, Koulouh clarified that if any financial crimes are uncovered, the Court of Auditors is merely responsible for reporting them, and those involved are entitled to full legal protections. “The Court is simply following the law, as outlined in Article 151 of the Penal Code, which mandates that anyone who learns of a crime must report it,” he said.

Koulouh acknowledged that many public officials fear the Court’s scrutiny, believing they might be implicated in financial wrongdoing. However, he noted that discovering such violations, particularly in documents, is a challenging process. “Identifying corruption in financial documents is one of the most difficult tasks,” he explained, urging a more positive view of the Court’s role in improving public financial management.

Addressing the role of the Court of Auditors in combating corruption, Koulouh emphasized that the Court is not an anti-corruption agency. “The National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Authority is responsible for fighting corruption,” he explained. However, the Court may assist in identifying corruption during its audits of public finances.

Koulouh also responded to questions from the media about the Court’s ability to address significant corruption. “That’s why we’ve stepped up our communication efforts, including using media outlets and issuing explanatory reports,” he said.

On cooperation with other institutions, Koulouh confirmed that the Court operates within the framework established by Morocco’s Constitution. The Court collaborates with Parliament’s Public Finance Monitoring Committee, which can request further clarifications on the Court’s reports.

He also revealed that cooperation with Parliament could be expanded, allowing any committee to request information on reports relevant to their areas of focus, either in writing or through oral presentations. “This cooperation must be mutually agreed upon by both the Court and Parliament,” Koulouh emphasized.

In addition, Koulouh highlighted the Court’s collaboration with judicial authorities, noting that the Court has signed agreements with the High Judicial Council and the Public Prosecution to coordinate on cases involving public financial crimes. “If we uncover criminal activity in our reports, we refer it to the Public Prosecution for further investigation,” he explained.

Koulouh also addressed coordination with other oversight bodies, noting that while there are shared methodologies, the outcomes and objectives differ. “The Court’s reports are intended for the state, the public, and Parliament, and are not meant to serve individual interests,” he said.

Finally, Koulouh emphasized the importance of maintaining the Court’s independence in conducting audits and releasing reports. “We coordinate with other bodies on a principle basis, but the Court remains fully autonomous in its operations,” he concluded.