The Chief Executive of Afghanistan on foreign aid, a democratic future and the Taliban
- 8 years ago
Fifteen years after the fall of Taliban rule, Afghanistan remains ravaged by war and instability. Recently the EU and the Afghan government co-hosted the Brussels conference on Afghanistan. One of the country’s top leaders, Abdullah Abdullah, spoke to euronews at the summit.
Maria Sarsalari, euronews:
Dr. Abdullah, Chief Executive of Afghanistan, welcome to Global Conversation.
In the past and even now, there has been criticism about the way international aid is spent in Afghanistan. Some regard it as wasting money or consider it to be mismanaged. What assurances can be given to the international community that the cases which may have existed in the past will not recur?
Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:
Thank you. Of course, fifteen years ago, when the cooperation of the international community started with Afghanistan, it was different times. Government departments in Afghanistan were not strong enough, the priorities were not clear and there were problems in planning the projects.
Probably in the first years, hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on technical aid in the recruitment of consultants in different departments and ministries. But part of the problem was related to corruption, which was often related to the contracts. Recently, there have been structural reforms in the contracts and the work continues. People have the right to be given guarantees about this. They expect us to do this and we are committed to them.
Whether on the issue of domestic revenue or international aid, the people of Afghanistan want these amounts to be spent in a very transparent manner and with very clear accounting, both for the people and the donors. Positive steps have been taken that have been agreed with the international community, but more work needs to be done.
euronews:
The presence of former warlords in governance, their influence and the fact that some of them are acting beyond the rule of law, this has been a constant source of concern and discussion.
How can one imagine that in the near future everyone in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will be under the rule of law?
Abdullah Abdullah:
Well, this has been a process. Compared to the previous years, the situation has improved. Anyone who uses force and acts beyond the rule of law should be stopped. People’s complaints about this should be looked into. However, generalising this and putting the personalities into one category based on their past is something that I do not agree with.
euronews:
After the announcement of the presidential election results – which took a long time – the National Unity Government, whose name gives hope to many, was introduced. In the meantime, we hear that the President and the Chief Executive have two separate teams. If there is such a thing, can you be clear about the reason? If not, if there is no such resentment between the two, can you state that it is so, so people’s minds can be put to rest
Maria Sarsalari, euronews:
Dr. Abdullah, Chief Executive of Afghanistan, welcome to Global Conversation.
In the past and even now, there has been criticism about the way international aid is spent in Afghanistan. Some regard it as wasting money or consider it to be mismanaged. What assurances can be given to the international community that the cases which may have existed in the past will not recur?
Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan:
Thank you. Of course, fifteen years ago, when the cooperation of the international community started with Afghanistan, it was different times. Government departments in Afghanistan were not strong enough, the priorities were not clear and there were problems in planning the projects.
Probably in the first years, hundreds of millions of dollars were spent on technical aid in the recruitment of consultants in different departments and ministries. But part of the problem was related to corruption, which was often related to the contracts. Recently, there have been structural reforms in the contracts and the work continues. People have the right to be given guarantees about this. They expect us to do this and we are committed to them.
Whether on the issue of domestic revenue or international aid, the people of Afghanistan want these amounts to be spent in a very transparent manner and with very clear accounting, both for the people and the donors. Positive steps have been taken that have been agreed with the international community, but more work needs to be done.
euronews:
The presence of former warlords in governance, their influence and the fact that some of them are acting beyond the rule of law, this has been a constant source of concern and discussion.
How can one imagine that in the near future everyone in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will be under the rule of law?
Abdullah Abdullah:
Well, this has been a process. Compared to the previous years, the situation has improved. Anyone who uses force and acts beyond the rule of law should be stopped. People’s complaints about this should be looked into. However, generalising this and putting the personalities into one category based on their past is something that I do not agree with.
euronews:
After the announcement of the presidential election results – which took a long time – the National Unity Government, whose name gives hope to many, was introduced. In the meantime, we hear that the President and the Chief Executive have two separate teams. If there is such a thing, can you be clear about the reason? If not, if there is no such resentment between the two, can you state that it is so, so people’s minds can be put to rest