The US Chargé d�Affaires Ross Wilson on International Anti-Corruption Day on Wednesday said that the "US expects that the Afghan government will strengthen its commitment to transparency and accountability by prioritizing a meaningful, demonstrable fight against corruption."

"To demonstrate commitment to combating corruption and to institutional reform, Afghanistan must address the impunity of powerful Afghans," said Wilson.

"Progress on corruption means demonstrable results which will command widespread public support, strengthen Afghanistan, and ensure continued strong backing by the international donor community for this country," Wilson added.

Early this week, an Integrity Watch Afghanistan (IWA) report said that Afghans annually pay over $2 billion in bribes, which is hurting the country�s economy.

Despite the Afghan government annually spending more than $500 million in the fight against corruption, this phenomenon is increasing every day, the IWA said.

The head of the Independent Joint Anti-Corruption Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (MEC) also confirmed that the corruption cases this year were more than last year in the government organizations.

After a lack of security and joblessness, corruption is the big challenge ahead of the people of Afghanistan, the IWA said.

Last month, the EU Delegation to Afghanistan held its sixth annual Anti-Corruption Conference at the Presidential Palace in Kabul and emphasized the importance of strengthening anti-corruption efforts as a measure to build trust between the Afghan people and their government as well as with the international donor community.

LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/21311

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