The collective of Congolese civil society organizations recently warned of a deep governance crisis that is raging in the Democratic Republic of Congo, negatively impacting all its institutions. Indeed, on the occasion of the day of the fight against corruption celebrated on December 9, these organizations lifted the veil on the devastating consequences of corruption on the future of the country.
One of the points raised concerns the embezzlement of funds intended for vocational training centers, revealed in a report by the General Inspectorate of Finance. This sad observation highlights the crucial issues facing Congolese youth, deprived of adequate training and employment prospects, and exposed to corrupt practices that risk continuing.
At the same time, civil society is concerned about the security sector where corruption is endemic, particularly in the military supply chain and arms trafficking involving certain officers. This situation seriously compromises the stability of the country and fuels a vicious cycle of corruption and insecurity.
On the political and administrative front, the situation is no better, with widespread nepotism in appointments to key positions and massive embezzlement of public funds. This culture of impunity and the lack of accountability foster illicit enrichment and encourage disillusioned youth to accept evil as the norm.
Faced with this alarming observation, civil society calls for an end to impunity and in-depth investigations into failed projects, as well as the publication of audits of public companies. It is high time to put an end to this moral drift that compromises the future of Congolese youth and to take concrete measures to fight corruption at all levels.
On this day dedicated to the fight against corruption, the theme of youth mobilization resonates in a particular way, inviting everyone to get actively involved in reversing the trend and building a better future for the DRC. It is more imperative than ever to raise awareness and educate the population, especially young people, to arm them against the temptations of corruption and embezzlement.
Ultimately, corruption is a scourge that shakes the very foundations of Congolese society and compromises its sustainable development. Only collective mobilization, increased transparency and unwavering political will can overcome this scourge and offer a fairer and more prosperous future to Congolese youth.