Afghanistan Report 2009 - Isaf - Nato

Afghanistan Report 2009
Executive summary
In 2008, the United Nations-mandated International
Security Assistance Force (ISAF), led by NATO,
continued to support the nascent Afghan National
Security Forces (ANSF) in the provision of security
throughout the country. The overall security picture
in 2008 was mixed. Violence rose sharply in parts of
the South, South-East and South-West, leading to a
significant overall increase in casualties from 2007.
However, large parts of the North, Centre and West
of the country continued to be relatively stable. The
ANSF grew in strength and capability and Afghan
forces assumed responsibility for security in the Kabul
area for the first time. ISAF force levels increased
significantly and will continue to do so in 2009. Improved
relations between the Afghan Government and the
newly-elected Pakistani Government was matched
by improved military coordination along the border
leading, near the end of the year, to decreasing crossborder
support for the insurgency in Afghanistan.
The capacity of the Afghan Government at the national,
provincial and district levels remains limited and suffers
from corruption. Continuing insecurity, criminality and,
in places, the influence of the narcotics trade further
impede efforts to improve good governance. Despite
these challenges, the Government has made progress
in extending and establishing its presence across the
country. International donor-funded programmes are
helping to develop the capacity of state institutions,
including the civil service, reform at the central and
sub-national levels, broad-based efforts to strengthen
the country’s judicial system and counter-narcotics
capabilities. At the local level, initiatives run by the
Government, notably the Independent Directorate of
Local Governance (IDLG), to improve the links between
central and local authorities are taking shape.
Afghanistan remains one of the poorest countries in the
world but steady progress from this low base continues
to be made. GDP continues to rise quickly (estimated
7.5% in 2008) and trade with Afghanistan’s neighbours
has increased significantly. International support for
the redevelopment of Afghanistan was invigorated
at an International Conference held in Paris in June
2008 where more than 80 donors pledged 21 billion
USD. Furthermore, the donors aligned themselves
with the priorities set out by the Afghan Government
in the Afghan National Development Strategy (ANDS),
officially launched in June 2008 – a demonstration of
growing Afghan capacity to guide its own future.
In 2009, Afghanistan faces the important democratic
milestone of Presidential and Provincial Council
Elections in August, set against the backdrop of
continuing challenges in the security, governance and
development fields. The International Community,
including the NATO-led ISAF, will step up its support
to the Afghan Government and people in this
challenging year, including through a better-coordinated
Comprehensive Approach.
5