In a bustling amphitheater at the Cultural and Artistic Center for Central African countries, situated across from the People’s Palace, young individuals from all corners of Kinshasa province gathered to show their support for a national campaign aimed at raising awareness among Congolese youth about combating corruption and promoting patriotism. Spearheaded by the Inspectorate General of Finance (IGF) and the Ministry of Youth and Patriotic Awakening, this extensive campaign seeks to cultivate a new generation of individuals who are incorruptible: leaders and citizens who are conscientious and mindful of ethical considerations in public affairs.
Addressing a crowd of over 2,000 youths, along with government officials and other dignitaries, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka emphasized the significance of integrity and transparency as foundational pillars of a prosperous and sovereign nation. She stressed that fighting corruption is an act of love for one’s country, underscoring the critical role of patriotism in the current context where the Democratic Republic of Congo faces external aggression and attempts at balkanization orchestrated by Rwanda and its proxies in the M23/AFC.
Describing patriotism as a guarantee of sustainable development and the transmission of wealth to future generations, the Prime Minister called upon the Congolese youth to stand as a bulwark against corruption and become actively engaged in defending national sovereignty. She highlighted the crucial role of unity and general mobilization among young Congolese individuals, urging them to reject corruption categorically and embrace their role as the hope of a united and indivisible nation.
Government Initiatives and Collaborative Efforts
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the RDC government, in collaboration with anti-corruption bodies such as the IGF, the National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENAREF), and the Agency for Prevention and Fight against Corruption (APLC), is dedicated to raising awareness and mobilizing the youth to become guardians of probity. Prime Minister Tuluka emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating corruption, which undermines economic development, exacerbates poverty, and deprives the state of crucial resources needed for investments in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and collective well-being.
Inspector General of Finance and head of the IGF, Jules Alingete Key, reiterated the detrimental effects of corruption on good governance, collective misery, and the future prospects of young individuals. He emphasized that combating corruption requires placing collective interests above personal gains, underscoring the notion of patriotism as a patriotic virtue.
Nationwide Campaign and International Collaboration
Alingete Key highlighted the imperative of patriotism in the face of Rwandan aggression through the M23/AFC rebellion, emphasizing the need for Congolese youth to unite against corruption and anti-patriotic actions. He stressed that the campaign against corruption and for patriotism would extend beyond Kinshasa to reach all corners of the country, including schools, vocational training centers, higher education institutions, and various socio-professional environments of young individuals.
Looking ahead to 2025, which marks the fifth year since its revitalization by President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi, the IGF will focus on monitoring public finances and raising awareness among the Congolese population on the importance of condemning corruption and its perpetrators. This aligns with the recommendations of the United Nations, which underscores the pivotal role of young integrity advocates in combating corruption and its impact on communities.
As the campaign unfolds throughout the year, the IGF aims to engage young Congolese individuals in a dialogue about the significance of upholding integrity, fostering a culture of transparency, and championing the values of patriotism in the pursuit of a prosperous and sovereign nation.