afrol News, 20 October - A landmark corruption investigation into Ivory Coast's cocoa sector began today in capital Abidjan with first of five ministers set to testify.

Local media reports said former agriculture minister Mr Alphonse Douati, now minister for animal production, arrived in court as a positive signal that a historic investigation that could clean country's cocoa sector was at last gaining momentum.

Other cabinet and senior government officals are also set to appear before court to give evidence.

Government gave authority in August this year for its cabinet mebers to be questioned in the investigation following judge's request.

Côte d'Ivoire also in September established a new cocoa management committee to oversee operations of its key export industry following widespread allegations of corruption.

Committee is set to replace several other bodies, including coffee and cocoa marketing body intoroduced after privatisation.

However, according to local and international media report, almost all of managers at marketing committee have been detained on corruption charges, with allegations putting funds embezzled at more than 100 billion CFA francs (US $224 million).

Côte d'Ivoire cocoa sector, which has been plagued by bad management storms and wide ranging corruption, is said to account for more than 40 percent of world market and fetches 40 percent of Ivorian export revenues.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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