It's often said that corruption is like cancer—it spreads quickly and across generations. Take the case of the DRC, for example. I believe corruption began to take hold a few years after independence when the so-called Mareshal Mobutu was in power. Our forefathers were corrupt, and unfortunately, I must admit that corruption remains a significant problem in the DRC even today.

Just like cancer, ending corruption requires strong and decisive action, not only from those in power but also from a new generation committed to change. Sadly, that’s not what I’m seeing. Many people my age still view corruption as normal. I often hear phrases like, "I must also eat like others do." What’s even more alarming is that many of these young people involved in corruption hold significant positions in churches. How most people understand Christianity is a whole other topic for another day.

Today, many young people in positions of power, both in government and the private sector, are deeply involved in corruption. This ranges from selecting specific third-party companies for contracts in exchange for a "commission," to turning a blind eye to unqualified expatriates working in the country for a bribe. It even extends to forging medical expenses so that their company covers personal healthcare costs.

The repercussions of corruption are immeasurable. It deprives deserving individuals of jobs that are "stolen" by incompetent expatriates. It also prevents money from entering the national treasury—funds that could have been used to build schools and support other vital public services.

Since the DRC President mistakenly stated in an interview with foreign journalists that "retrocommission" was legal in the country, no one in the government has come forward to correct this misinformation. As a result, many people, particularly young people, now use this statement to justify corrupt practices.

Sustained development in the DRC is impossible with the current level of corruption. Young people need to wake up and recognize that what they refer to as "coop" is, in fact, corruption.