The new image and responsibilities of the office of the ombudsman

For the second time, the law establishing the organization and functioning of the office of ombudsman was modified. In this modification, there were dramatic changes or reforms on the functioning of the office of the ombudsman and a new function was added to the usual functions which is monitoring the interdictions and incompatibilities of senior officials.

Changes/ reforms made in the functions of the office of the ombudsman

Notable modifications in the functioning of the office ombudsman are the creation of two new units which are: Special Unit in charge of fighting corruption and the unit in charge of monitoring the interdictions and incompatibilities of senior officials. The office recruited new staff in its different units to help it achieve its goals and among the new recruits was one employee specifically in charge of customer care which was not there before.

The modifications in relation to the functioning of the office the ombudsman led to an increase of employees from forty seven (47) to sixty eight (68) all situated at the head office.

The new function of monitoring the interdictions and incompatibilities of senior officials.

This function which was attributed to the office of the ombudsman has its origin from organic law N o61/2008 of 10/09/2008 on the Leadership code, especially article 36 which stipulates that the Office of the Ombudsman shall over see the implementation of this organic law. The same article also stipulates that the Office of the Ombudsman monitors the harmonization and the implementation of the organic law on leadership code of conduct and other specific laws on conduct. This must appear in annual reports of the office of the Ombudsman.

Basing on this organic law, a unit in charge of monitoring the interdictions and incompatibilities of senior officials was created, defined how a leader should behave or conduct himself/herself, what are the values and manners a leader should always have and the interdictions and incompatibilities in relation to their duties.

Other new functions .

As mentioned earlier, the Office of the Ombudsman was given new functions and one of them is the Anti Corruption Special Unit which deals with complex corruption cases. Complex cases are the cases which need special attention, analysis and use of sophisticated materials in order to be investigated thoroughly and on time.

The purpose of the modification of functions of the Office of the Ombudsman was to facilitate it to accomplish its usual functions and the new ones we mentioned earlier. We should also remember that these changes are in conformity with reforms carried out in 2009 in all public institutions, the Office of the Ombudsman inclusive.