During the daily chattering among Afghan citizens across the country the word corruption is used often. Of course security is a major challenge in Afghanistan, but people are affected by corruption more than anything else. Every person and every institution in Afghanistan complains about it. But who is responsible to tackle this issue? That is a responsibility, which has always been ignored and it is used as a political tool.

Since last one decade billions of US dollars has been looted by corrupt officials and individuals in Afghanistan. Every institution and person living in this country faces corruption. But very few people resist against that and it has a cost, which is not easy and cheap.

We have witnessed lots of allegations and accusations of corruption. Many officials including the president, cabinet members, governors, judges, members of the parliament and foreign citizens have been accused of corruption. But due to impunity system in the government none of these accusations have been addressed transparently. The only result we have seen so far is that they have been empowered more and living better.

Afghan media and some civil society organizations have played its great role of disclosing and advocating for transparency. But they have no executive power and those who have the power they are involved in this game. There are some clear hand and transparent people, but that is a very small number and they don’t have the power to fight this issue. At the top and leadership level there is not any political willingness to fight corruption.

So in the lack of willingness from the government side and obstacles in front of the people who really want to eliminate corruption, who we can end this pandemic? Of course some foreigners are also involved in corruption, but at the end of the day this is our country and it’s our responsibility to get rid of this shameful reputation. Every citizen has equal responsibility to fight corruption. We must not let everything to the government, even if they are willing to fight corruption. Because this widely spread syndrome can’t be fought without broad support and engagement of Afghan citizens. To end corruption we have to think nationally, but act personally. Every citizen can fight corruption by not paying bribes, disclosing the cases and advocate for transparency.

Comparing to the whole nation the corrupt authorities and government officials are a way small percentage of the society. So it means that the number of people who pay bribes is way larger than the people who receive bribes. By not paying and disclosing the people involved in corruption a common citizen can make a huge change. It’s difficult to fight hundreds of corrupt and powerful individuals, but it is easy to support few transparent people. So if we can’t fight the corrupt officials, we can support, promote and admire transparent people. This is also a better way to fight corruption.

The government has only lip service and commitment on paper, not in action. So while everyone knows and talks that the Afghan government does not have a strong willingness to fight this phenomenon. Why we are still waiting for them? Why we continue the blame game? Instead we have to act against corruption and as a responsible citizen, using our constitutional rights and fulfil our commitments by promoting transparency and accountability and fighting corruption. So let’s stop complains and blaming each other and take an active part in the fight against corruption. Start from yourself and expand that as much as you can, otherwise this anaconda will chomp us all.