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p. 7 of 10 BACK | NEXT Challenges of rebuilding From postconflict to reconstruction Role of MDBs ADB’s approach and comparative advantage Afghanistan and ADB: a partnership renewed Postconflict rebuilding From postconflict: preconditions for reconstruction Toward reconstruction: financing the transition Towrd development: setting the stage The way forward: lessons from postconflict reconstruction

Rehabilitation and Reconstruction - ADB's Role in Afghanistan and the Region

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From postconflict: preconditions for reconstruction

Ensuring security

Security in Afghanistan is essential not only for efficient humanitarian action, but also for rebuilding the country: without assured security and stability, further progress will be seriously compromised. Security in both Kabul and outside the city remains tenuous, and the Government’s grip on the country as a whole is not as strong as had been hoped for at this stage. Warlords continue to exercise power in their areas of influence and indulge in factional fighting. In Kabul, the 4,800-strong International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), first under British, then Turkish, and now German and Dutch leadership, has been a power for peace and stability.

Security and stability will, however, continue to be a problem as long as warlords retain their own armed forces. This point was highlighted by the Government in October 2002 and was an important theme of the Wilton Park Conference in London in the same month. On its first anniversary, the Government issued an appeal to the international community for assistance in disarming the warlords.¹⁶

The process of disarming the population has also been painfully slow. Although the Government comprises ethnic factions and is holding together, there is ample evidence of widespread serious factional tensions. Efforts are under way to establish rule of law, bring provincial and local authorities under central control, build a national army and a police force, and extend the tenure and expand the role of the ISAF.

Another issue closely linked to security is the illegal production, trade, and consumption of opium. In January 2002, the Government issued a decree banning poppy cultivation. Two other decrees have been issued since then—one in April 2002 outlining an eradication program and another in September 2002 for enforcing the ban on cultivating, producing, abusing, and trafficking drugs. But, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, 3,400 tons of opium were produced in Afghanistan in 2002.¹⁷

Facing the political challenges: constitution and elections

Stability in Afghanistan is contingent upon the establishment of secure political processes. The country has not held an election since the 1970s, neither has a national census been undertaken. The current Government has been charged with two key tasks that will shape the nation’s future: writing a new constitution and preparing for national elections in 2004. A Constitution Commission has started work on the new constitution but progress has been slow. Concern has been raised over whether a draft document and election preparations will be completed by the end of the 24-month term of the Government, which began following the Emergency Loya Jirga, a grand council of Afghan political and tribal leaders, in June 2002.

As it works toward these goals, the Government must also proceed with a third crucial task—that of extending civilian authority over the entire country.

Three political parameters are essential to the rehabilitation and reconstruction process:

• accepting the supremacy of the central Government;
• creating conditions for political plurality and democracy without external interference; and
• improving the capacity and efficiency of the Government to provide political leadership.

Establishing a durable political balance will require further progress in developing democratic institutions, creation of a framework for equitable power sharing among ethnic groups, and agreement on an acceptable relationship between the central Government and the provinces. These issues will shape the fundamental character of the new constitution.

Preparations for Afghanistan’s first elections in over 20 years are progressing slowly. A census is being planned with assistance from the UN Population Fund. A key element in election planning is the development of a smooth succession plan. For the donor community’s contributions to be used effectively beyond humanitarian aid, a workable balance must be struck among all conflicting parties in the country. Without that balance, time and resources will be wasted and the suffering of the Afghan people will continue.

Cooperating regionally

Afghanistan’s reconstruction must be viewed in a regional context. Peace, stability, and prosperity in Afghanistan could be a catalyst for rapprochement or closer bonds between its neighbors such as Iran and Pakistan, or India and Pakistan, and between any one of these countries and the Central Asian republics.

Pakistan is a main trading partner of Afghanistan, and reexports to Pakistan through unofficial channels form an important component of total trade. It is clear that an open trading regime and deeper subregional integration would have many advantages for Afghanistan and its partners (see Box on regional cooperation). Afghanistan may consider entering into mutual trade agreements with neighboring countries such as Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and to allow the free movement of goods and services and implementation of a common external tariff system. In exploring the option of greater subregional cooperation in trade, the complementary and competitive nature of production among participant countries should be considered. A process of harmonization and convergence of policies and strategies would help remove constraints to growth and development, allowing each participating economy to reach its production potential. The aim would be to improve the competitive efficiency of each country. Regional trade will be fostered by regional cooperation in transport initiatives and resource management and development.

ADB has identified projects in the transport, power, and energy sectors for possible assistance, including a 1,600-kilometer natural gas pipeline project from Turkmenistan to Pakistan through Afghanistan. A technical assistance project in support of the pipeline is now under way.

Setting the policy and institutional framework

ADB is working to see that an appropriate policy and institutional framework is in place in Afghanistan to support investments in rehabilitation and reconstruction.

The governance, policy, and institutional frameworks necessary for a well-functioning economy must be established urgently. This is imperative for significant investment in Afghanistan’s reconstruction, and for stimulating confidence among private investors, both domestic and foreign, to participate in development opportunities. Transparency, accountability, community participation, and the rule of law are the basis for good governance, which must be established at all levels of government. Policy reforms are needed to help mobilize resources and ensure their productive use. Substantial institutional capacity building is necessary to ensure effective reconstruction and development of the economy and social systems.

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