On December 9, 2003, representatives of 140 countries convened to sign the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and designated December 9 as International Anti-corruption Day. Today, 158 countries have joined the UNCAC, including Nigeria and the United States, making it one of the United Nations most highly subscribed treaties, creating a global mandate to combat corruption and the harm it brings to society.The ill effects of corruption are well-knowncorruption hinders sustainable development, erodes confidence in democratic institutions, and facilitates transnational crime and terrorism. When kleptocrats line their pockets and steal from their nations treasuries and their own people, such actions prevent the provision of necessary public services, including medicines and health care for the sick and elderly, education for children, and nourishment and housing for poor and working class families. Moreover, such activities weaken the potential of affected countries for economic growth.Fragile states that struggle to maintain the rule of law or provide basic services for their populations can also become magnets for crime and terrorism; they can become hubs for trafficking in persons, drugs, and weapons; and they can export violence far beyond their borders. Such destabilisation further exacerbates the ability of the international community to confront threats to human security, such as extreme poverty, pandemic diseases, and climate change.Addressing corruption remains key to combating emerging transnational criminal threats. In many countries, criminals and other illicit actors subvert and undermine state functions and transform some official institutions into de-facto criminal enterprises. Government protection of criminal elements can take many formsofficials may turn a blind eye to a syndicates illicit activity, choose not to pursue investigative leads, opt not to enact or enforce certain criminal laws, or ignore the efforts of others to extradite wanted criminals. In some cases, corrupt officials may actively work for criminal organisationssupplying them with information or providing other services. In the worst cases, governments may effectively cede power and authority to criminal groups, allowing them to form their own territories and power networks.Corruption harms the citizens of all nations in varying degrees. All governments and their citizens, therefore, must remain vigilant to root out, punish, and deter corruption. In Nigeria, for example, corruption diverts financial resources from building roads, hospitals, schools, and otherwise investing in infrastructure that would serve businesses, attract foreign investment, and create jobs. Corruption also acts as a disincentive for foreign investment. As a result, a large number of unemployed youths turn to other activities to stay active and make money, including criminal activity such as internet fraud, arms and other trafficking, and terrorist activity. So, even when the proceeds of corruption do not go directly to criminal and terrorist organisations, corruption still serves to promote criminal and terrorist activity by creating barriers to legitimate economic endeavours.Criminal activity thrives in environments where the justice system has become weak. Impunity emboldens criminals to think that they can buy their way through criminal transactions and bribe their way out of prison. When traffickers can bribe their way to cross a border, clear a shipment through customs, or convince a policeman to look the other way, then they will proceed as far as their money will take them.To foster the stability, security, and prosperity of its citizens, Nigeria must effectively address corruption. I applaud President Goodluck Jonathans recent move to change the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and his willingness to seek a strong candidate to lead the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences. The United States stands ready to help build these institutions to address corruption effectively and make impunity a thing of the past.Mr. Terence McCulley is the United States Ambassador to Nigeria.
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