Corruption is second major challenge for Afghanistan after war, frustrating efforts to tap the existing opportunities for the country’s development and prosperity. Afghanistan did not attain economic self-reliance despite billions of dollars of foreign aid being injected into it over the last two decades. There were two reasons: foreign funds were not spent in line with Afghanistan’s priorities, and corruption not only drastically reduced the efficiency and effectiveness of the aid but also wasted it, thereby leaving Afghan economy heavily reliant on international assistance as it absorbed only a small share of the funds. Moreover, widespread corruption also contributed in different forms to the continuation of war and the insurgent’s entrenchment.
Despite its destructive role, Afghan governments have unfortunately not paid enough attention to combating the phenomenon. The National Unity Government (NUG) promised a serious fight against graft and also took some steps at the beginning, but it fell off the government’s priorities later on due to internal differences between government leaders, and other challenges. The politicization of the government’s anti-graft efforts further undermined public’s trust in the struggle. Although NUG is now serving the last months of its term, anti-corruption should remain a priority given the threat it has posed to the government and nation. Government leaders should decisively and indiscriminately deal with the phenomenon as per their commitments with people and the international community.
The government has to at least finalize corruption cases that have been exposed, and share the results with the public because people have the right to know how honest their government leaders are in the fight against corruption and that they have achieved so far. Corruption cannot be stamped out by empty slogans and termination of a few low-level government officials. The fight against graft should start from top-down. The trial of a senior government official will have far more psychological impact than that of a 100 low-ranking officials. Therefore, all major corruption cases should be investigated transparently and the people should know whether or not the government has a political will to combat graft.