The head of the US aid watchdog, John Sopko, has criticised America's aid program in Afghanistan, stating that it was poorly coordinated, politically driven, and contributed to corruption that undermined the mission and alienated Afghans, reported The Guardian.
John Sopko, the special inspector general for Afghanistan reconstruction (Sigar), highlighted several key issues that contributed to the failure of the aid mission. The rapid influx of money without proper oversight, coupled with unrealistic timelines driven by a desire to show success, created an environment ripe for corruption and mismanagement. The focus on input rather than outcomes further exacerbated the problem, with a lack of attention given to whether the aid was actually benefiting the Afghan people.
The UK's perspective, shared by Sir Hugh Bayley of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (Icai), echoes these sentiments. He emphasised that the West, including the UK, lacked a comprehensive understanding of local traditions, culture, and capacity, leading to flawed decision-making. Despite advocating for a different political approach, the UK was unable to influence the US to broaden the base of the Afghan government, which ultimately limited its effectiveness.
The turnover of military, development staff, and diplomats from both the US and UK further compounded the challenges, as institutional memory and expertise were lost. Insufficient attention was also paid to locally recruited staff who possessed language skills, cultural understanding, and community connections. These individuals could have provided valuable insights and continuity in the aid efforts.
The report says that the UK prioritised its transatlantic relationship with the US over challenging US priorities, potentially limiting its ability to influence the course of action. The UK's aid program aimed to build a state in the service of security, but it was slow to acknowledge the need for long-term engagement and political legitimacy, including engaging with the Taliban.
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