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01 December 2010 REVIEW

Inside This Issue

Economic Stabilization This document is intended to provide an overview of relevant sector Governance & Participation events in Afghanistan from 23 November–30 November 2010. More Humanitarian Assistance comprehensive information is available on the Civil-Military Overview (CMO) at www.cimicweb.org. Hyperlinks to original source material Infrastructure are highlighted in blue and underlined in the embedded text. Justice & Reconciliation Security Social Well-Being

For further information on CFC activities related to Afghanistan or inquiries about this publication, please contact the Afghanistan Team Manager: Valeria Davanzo, [email protected] or the Afghanistan Editor: Amber Ram- sey, [email protected]

ECONOMIC STABILIZATION Steve Zyck, [email protected] / +1 757-683-4275 Back to top

Mineral and energy deposits in Afghanistan were the ban was allegedly instituted as a result of the Af- subject of continued discussion this week. An official ghan government‟s failure to update its 1972 avia- from Afghanistan‟s Ministry of Mines (MoM) told Tolo tion regulations or establish a civil aviation author- News that oil deposits in northern Afghanistan would ity. According to Reuters, the ban affects Safi Air- be opened for tender by the end of the year. Offi- lines in particular, which is one of three Afghanistan cials say that oil deposits around Sheberghan, in -registered airlines to offer flights to Europe in re- Jowzjan province, and Qashqari, in Sar-e Pul prov- cent years. The EU's recent decision also served to ince, will likely be tendered first. Experts interviewed extend and expand previously-imposed restrictions by Tolo News have suggested that investor interest on Ariana Afghan Airlines and Kam Air, the two in Afghanistan‟s energy and mineral resources may other banned carriers. Pajhwok Afghan News also be undermined by insecurity as well as the costs notes that Safi Airlines is working with EU officials involved in protecting mining sites. An article by to formalise a separate operation which will be reg- Reuters also highlighted challenges in gold mining in istered in Europe to circumvent the ban. Takhar province, where villagers living in areas sur- rounding a major mine have instituted a blockade. Tolo News reports that Afghan officials are con- According to Reuters, community members are pro- cerned over donors having pledged only USD 1 bil- testing the mining company‟s use of workers from lion in support of agriculture despite having ap- other parts of northern Afghanistan and its failure to proved a USD 4 billion agriculture development provide community development projects which it strategy at the London and conferences ear- had previously promised. The article suggests that lier this year. Potential shortfalls in aid financing the complications at this gold mine could be indica- were also raised by the Integrated Regional Infor- tive of what experts have labeled a “resource curse”, mation Network (IRIN), which echoed Afghans‟ and a dynamic in which the discovery of natural re- aid agencies‟ concerns that the international com- sources fuels conflict and social unrest. munity may significantly reduce development assis- tance to Afghanistan once foreign troops begin to The transport of goods and people between Afghani- leave the country. (Comments? Click here) stan and Europe has reportedly been jeopardised by the European Union‟s decision to ban air carriers registered in Afghanistan, says Business Week. The FOR MORE DISCUSSION CLICK HERE 2

GOVERNANCE & PARTICIPATION Anne-Catherine Claude, [email protected] / +1 757-683-4368 Back to top

On 24 November, the Independent Election Commis- results to be „final‟, reports Agence France-Presse. sion (IEC) released the long-awaited final results of On 01 December, the IEC Chairman announced that the 18 September parliamentary elections. The re- the results for the disputed province of Ghazni sults, however, only covered 33 of the country‟s 34 would be endorsed and from the standpoint of Ma- provinces, with results for Ghazni province being nawi, “this electoral process is now over.” Once the delayed due to “technical problems” cited by IEC newly-elected lower house is inaugurated, the na- Chairman Fazel Ahmad Manawi, reports Agence tional assembly, which has been in recess for the France-Presse. Meanwhile, the BBC and other inter- past three weeks, will reconvene and resume its national media sources report that the results in legislative functions. Ghazni were delayed because Afghanistan‟s largest ethnic group, the , failed to win a single Meanwhile, the Attorney General has declared the seat (see 23 November CFC Weekly Afghanistan Re- final results of the parliamentary elections illegal as view, Governance and Participation section). The his office is still conducting investigations into possi- Washington Post added that close aides to President ble fraud and bribery. Furthermore, the Deputy At- Karzai have warned that certifying the current re- torney General called on the IEC to discontinue de- sults in Ghazni could lead to further instability as livering certification letters to winning candidates, there is the risk that the Pashtun majority would arguing that “if a candidate wins a seat based on move closer to the Taliban. Discussing the results in invalid and fraudulent votes, his certificates itself Ghazni, Abdullah Ahmadzai, a member of the IEC, will be invalid.” According to The Wall Street Jour- stated that “there are two possibilities: one is certifi- nal, the Afghan authorities have arrested nine pri- cation of Ghazni‟s results and announcing them, and vate citizens and issued a warrant for the arrest of one will be any decision otherwise, which will include four election officials, including the spokespersons a rerun of the election.” Moreover, The Washington for the IEC and ECC, on allegations on fraud (see Post added that organising a rerun of the elections 23 November CFC Weekly Afghanistan Review, Gov- in Ghazni might result in the same outcome due to ernance and Participation section). the difficulty in securing areas where polling centres were prevented from opening during the first round. In an interview with Agence France-Presse, Afghan Other concerns cited include the possibility that ad- opposition leader, Abdullah Abdullah, criticised the ditional provinces might call for a new vote. Never- move by the AGO, arguing that the government is theless, according to Reuters, the head of the IEC “using the AGO to pressure the election commis- excluded the possibility of holding another country- sions” after not receiving the results it expected. wide election, stating that “despite all the shortcom- However, according to presidential spokesman Wa- ings, it was a major success for Afghanistan”; how- heed Omar, Karzai does not intend to intervene in ever, the BBC notes that Manawi did not rule out the the current quarrel between the AGO and the IEC, possibility of holding another round in Ghazni. adding that he is prepared to inaugurate the new parliament once the results are certified by the IEC. While disputes continue over the certification of the (Comments? Click here) final winners of Wolesi Jirga seats in Afghanistan‟s parliamentary elections, the IEC has declared the FOR MORE DISCUSSION CLICK HERE

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE Erin Foster, [email protected] / +1 757-683-4233 Back to top

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network food insecure in the coming six months due to good (FEWSNET) suggests that hunger in Afghanistan will harvests and sufficient labour opportunities. While see an increase during the 2010 winter season. Ac- internally displaced people (IDPs) and returning cording to the update, wheat harvests are less than refugees from Pakistan in the eastern, southern and in 2009 but wheat market values are more stable central are likely to face than in 2008. The November Food Security Outlook moderate to high food insecurity. Update for Afghanistan also forecasts a potential problem with winter wheat levels resulting from in- According to a recent article in The Washington adequate precipitation but the harvest impact is still Post, the majority of asylum seekers worldwide unknown. The update states that the north, north- have originated from Afghanistan. A Commissioner east, northwest and western provinces of Afghani- of the Afghan Independent Human Rights Commis- stan, excluding Badakhshan, are not expected to be sion (AIHRC), Ahmad Nader Nadery, attributed the 3 high number of asylum seekers to the Afghan popu- remaining forged cards will be cancelled and any lation‟s pessimistic outlook on the future. A reported property bought with those cards could be confis- 2,705 Afghans applied for asylum in Australia this cated. year alone and 113 applied for asylum in the United States – the highest since 2002. UNHCR statistics as Global efforts to eradicate landmines reached a of January 2010 show 30,412 Afghans sought asy- landmark in 2009 with 198 sq km of mined areas lum during this period. The article further notes that and 359 sq km of former battle grounds being Afghans pay upwards of USD 20,000 per person to cleared, reports the Integrated Regional Informa- human smugglers for the procurement of fake docu- tion Network (IRIN). The Landmine & Cluster Muni- ments and the facilitation of their entry into foreign tion Monitor released its annual report last week countries. attributing the gains to “momentum, political will and the stability of funding.” Afghanistan received In related news, Pajhwok Afghan News reports Paki- USD 107 million in 2009 for mine clearance pro- stan government authorities have cancelled 80,000 grammes that were labelled as humanitarian in na- out of 100,000 computerised national identity cards ture. The report finds that although the use of land- (CNICs) that were illegally issued to Afghan refu- mines has been reduced globally, they are still be- gees. Pajhwok adds that nearly 1.6 million Afghan ing used by non-state armed groups in Afghanistan. refugees have temporary residence status, which (Comments? Click here) allows them to conduct business but not purchase property. The Pakistan Minister for States and Fron- tier Regions, Najmuddin Khan, explained that the FOR MORE DISCUSSION CLICK HERE

INFRASTRUCTURE Steve Zyck, [email protected] / +1 757-683-4275 Back to top

The effect of the private security company (PSC) NATO‟s International Security Assistance Force ban upon infrastructure projects was somewhat miti- (ISAF) issued press releases on a number of infra- gated by the Afghan government‟s recent announce- structure initiatives. The Provincial Reconstruction ment that PSCs would be permitted to guard recon- Team (PRT) in Panjshir province has completed 80 struction and development projects until their cur- km of the 145 km Panjshir Road and, according to a rent contracts end, reports the Associated Press. separate press release, has undertaken a survey as Previously, exemptions were only being awarded to part of its planning for the construction of a micro- diplomatic facilities, which will be permitted to use hydro-electric generator. Additionally, a 48 km road PSCs after the ban comes into effect. As the exemp- between the towns of Arghandab and Qalat in Zabul tion for reconstruction and development projects is province was completed by the Afghan government only temporary, Afghanistan‟s Ministry of Interior with assistance and mentoring being provided by (MoI) hopes to transfer security functions away from the Zabul PRT. PSCs and towards the Afghan National Police (ANP) and, in particular, to a special unit called the Afghan Roads such as these may be maintained in the fu- Public Protection Force. ture by “road maintenance teams” being estab- lished by ISAF personnel and the Afghan National Bakhtar News Agency reported that the Women‟s Security Forces (ANSF), according to an ISAF press Affairs office in Ghazni province inaugurated a USD release. These maintenance teams will be com- 205,000 building for a female Learning Centre. prised of local men, under the control of the ANSF, Meanwhile, the website Good Afghan News reported who will maintain the roads and provide security. that the Afghan government has completed two clin- The first such team is expected to be established in ics in at a cost of USD 66,000. the Tagab district of Kapisa province, says ISAF. Another article from the same website notes con- (Comments? Click here) struction being undertaken at Balkh Public Hospital in the city of Mazar-e Sharif. FOR MORE DISCUSSION CLICK HERE

JUSTICE & RECONCILIATION Anne-Catherine Claude, [email protected] / +1 757-683-4368 Back to top

The New York Times reports that the Taliban leader, Afghan government (see 20 October CFC Weekly Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansour, who was flown Afghanistan Review, Justice and Reconciliation sec- from Pakistan to take part in negotiations with the tion), was actually an impostor and, according to 4 the Washington Post, is believed to be a lowly shop- “there were skepticism about one of these all keeper from Pakistan. The New York Times article along.” further states that NATO and Afghan officials held During an annual Triangular Initiative Ministerial three separate meetings with the supposed Mr. Man- Meeting facilitated by the United Nations Office on sour, adding that he even met with President Karzai Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Afghanistan and Paki- on one occasion. Karzai dismissed the claims, stating stan agreed to carry out joint operations to crack that Mansour never came to Afghanistan and Karzai down on drug trafficking, Reuters reports. Agence never met with him. France-Presse further adds that UNODC will encour- age the first joint operation between the two coun- According to Agence France-Presse, the British Intel- tries to take place as soon as possible. ligence Agency, MI6, is said to be responsible for paying the alleged high-level Taliban leader. British Following a visit to Afghanistan, where he toured a officers were allegedly convinced he was a senior drug treatment centre and a women‟s prison, Yury commander with the authority to negotiate with Fedotov, the UNODC Executive Director, reaffirmed American and Afghan officials on behalf of the Tali- UNODC‟s continued commitment to support the Af- ban. In an interview with the Washington Post, ghan government in its efforts in counter-narcotics Mohammad Umer Daudzai, a close aide to President and crime prevention. Moreover, Fedotov stressed Karzai, blamed Britain for bringing an impostor to the need for a comprehensive strategy, supported the negotiation table, saying the Afghan government by the international community, which would assist was aware during the whole process that Mansour Afghan farmers in switching from opium to legal was not a senior Taliban member. He further added crops. that due to the sensitivity of the negotiations, for- eign governments should stay out and leave the Af- Pajhwok Afghan News reports that the Minister of ghans and the High Council for Peace to deal with Counter-Narcotics, Zarar Ahmad Moqbel, held a negotiations. Meanwhile, an article in The Guardian meeting with the governors of 14 provinces to dis- noted that the negotiations were initiated by the cuss the ministry‟s new strategy for poppy eradica- Afghan government with the support of General tion. During the meeting, the Minister requested the Stanley McChrystal, former Commander of the Inter- help of the governors in enforcing the new strategy. national Security Assistance Force (ISAF), who ap- In response, the governors claimed that they lack parently asked the MI6 to pursue the Taliban con- the authority to implement and enforce the counter- tacts in lieu of the CIA. Britain has not officially com- narcotics campaign. (Comments? Click here) mented on the suppositions, while current COMISAF General David Petraeus said he was not surprised as FOR MORE DISCUSSION CLICK HERE

SECURITY Rens De Graaff, [email protected] /+1 757-683-4302 Back to top

Combined Afghan and International Security Assis- Afghan forces stopped and questioned the occu- tance Force (ISAF) operations in Baghlan province pants of the vehicle. Finally, in province, resulted in the death of at least three Taliban insur- insurgents were captured as coalition forces gents, with seven others being wounded, says Tolo searched for a suicide bomber and a key leader in News. According to officials in Baghlan province, six training and planting Vehicle Borne Improvised Ex- insurgents also surrendered to the government, plosive Devices (VBIED). The targeted individual handing over their weapons, during the operations. was wanted for planning attacks against the Afghan Coalition forces have increased operations in Bagh- National Police (ANP) and coalition forces. lan in response to the deterioration of the security situation. No comments have yet been made by the According to Voice of America (VOA), two Taliban Taliban, the article claims. insurgents dressed in police uniforms detonated suicide bombs at the provincial police headquarters Three separate coalition operations that took place in Paktika province. At least 10 police officers were in a 24-hour period led to the arrest of at least 15 killed and 13 others were wounded in the attack. suspected insurgents, says ISAF. In Khost province, According to reports from Reuters, the two men after intelligence reports directed forces to a com- had been trained at the facility. Meanwhile, in Nan- pound in the Sabari district in search of a Haqqani garhar province, Afghan and coalition forces shot Network facilitator, several insurgents were cap- and killed at least 15 insurgents after receiving fire tured. A second operation, targeting a Taliban leader when approaching a compound. in Farah province, led to the arrest of multiple sus- pected Taliban fighters in the Bakwah district. The A recent article by the Institute for War and Peace insurgents were travelling in a remote area when Reporting (IWPR) suggests that wealthy Afghans in 5 the northern parts of Afghanistan are increasingly into acts of crime, arguing that they need to feed subject to kidnapping and robbery. Many business- their families, says Sultan. Meanwhile, Habibullah men are therefore forced to hire private security Habib, a defence and security affairs expert, states guards, even though in some cases this did not de- that well armed gangs controlled by local militia ter criminals, explains IWPR. Salehuddin Sultan, commanders are active in the kidnappings and rob- head of ‟s crime department, told bery. Habib suggests that public arrests and severe IWPR that there has been an increase from 42 to 60 punishments will be effective in deterring the in- reported kidnapping cases in the first seven months creasing criminality. (Comments? Click here) of 2010, compared to the same period in 2009. FOR MORE DISCUSSION CLICK HERE Some criminals claim that poverty is forcing them

SOCIAL WELL-BEING Erin Foster, [email protected] / +1 757-683-4233 Back to top

The Executive Director of the United Nations Devel- A new study by the Afghan Research and Evaluation opment Fund for Women (UNIFEM), Ines Alberdi, Unit (AREU) claims that Afghans living in rural areas made a three-day high-level visit to Afghanistan to are staying poor or are facing economic decline as a reaffirm the agency‟s commitment to Afghan women result of continued poor crop harvests, ill-health and girls as the organisation transitions to the newly and costs associated with marriage. The study, -established UN Women. The visit coincided with the „Decline and Stagnation: Why Rural Afghans are launch of a 16-day global campaign to end violence Staying Poor‟, was conducted in Kandahar, Badakh- against women, reports the United Nations Assis- shan and Sar-e Pul provinces and found that these tance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). This cam- communities will continue to face livelihood insecu- paign is being observed in Nangarhar province rity and continued poverty if officials do not focus through the broadcast of public service announce- beyond growth and market-based policy measures. ments about the Elimination of Violence Against Recommendations from the report include offering Women (EVAW) law passed in 2009 with officials insurance to farmers to assist in the event of poor hoping to reach nearly two million listeners. Mean- harvests, further investigation into community fi- while, in Laghman province, religious scholars or nancing systems for health care costs as well as Ulemas will speak about the EVAW law and advocate prioritising disease prevention programmes and fi- against gender violence during mosque sermons. nally building local consensus for spending limits on exorbitant bride prices. According to the United Nations Children‟s Fund (UNCIEF), children in Afghanistan need greater legal The Afghan Team has surpassed all expec- protection to fully realize their rights outlined in the tations to win the silver medal at the Asian Games Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UN in Guangzhou, China, reports Pajhwok Afghan agency calls for a comprehensive Child Act to ensure News. Afghanistan is relatively new to the world of that national legislation covers all the specific rights cricket with their team originating in a refugee of children in the country. Additionally, the agency camp in Pakistan during the 1980s. The current calls for the Child Act to be complimented by aware- Asian Games saw their historic victory over ness-raising as well as child and human rights edu- neighbouring Pakistan resulting in further support cation be incorporated into school curriculum. UNI- being given to develop the sport in Afghanistan with CEF statistics show that one in five Afghan children the construction of their first cricket stadium cur- die as a result of preventable diseases, five million rently underway. (Comments? Click here) are not enrolled in school and the majority lack pro- tection and identification because they are not regis- tered at birth. FOR MORE DISCUSSION CLICK HERE

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