Corruption in Afghanistan

Corruption is one of the most significant threats to Afghan society. Polls suggest that many in the Afghan population see corruption as the biggest single impediment to building popular support for the government. In addition, the Taliban gain a lot of support from the population because of the corrupt actions of the Afghan government. Bribes are necessary to get almost anything done from the top of the Karzai regime all the way to the lowest official at community, city, or district level. Most Westerners, military members, NGO workers, contractors, and others who are not Afghan do not get exposed to bribes very often. For the most part it is the Afghans who must deal with the problem.

On my way out of Afghanistan I had an experience that I found disturbing. My flight out on Safi Airlines was proceeding smoothly. I got through security, got my ticket, checked my luggage, and was on my way to the seating lounge before boarding the aircraft. However, there was the small matter of immigration control where a uniformed fellow checks for ticket, passport, and visa. All my paperwork was in order but he felt the need for some cash. The official made several attempts to get me to cough over some money with hints like a wink (did he find me cute?), rubbing his forefinger and thumb together (a sign for some money I suspect), and rearranging my ticket and passport on the desk in front of him several times while haaarrrummmphing (are all civil servants the same?).

To be fair I have been told by others to have a $20.00 bill in my pocket for just this circumstance. My friends said it will ease your way out of the country. All I had to do was reach in my pocket, pull the bill out, and slide it across the window counter. However, I started thinking of all the lives that have been lost and all the money squandered on this country and I just got pissed off. And I remembered friends lost in the fight recently and in years gone by. I returned the silent treatment I was receiving. Eventually I got my passport back - stamped and moved on to the last security checkpoint before the waiting lounge. The $20.00 would buy me lunch and a beer at The Irish Village at the Dubai airport.

Learn more about corruption in Afghanistan.