Corruption and incompetence are the main reasons for the Afghan security forces’ ineffectiveness, experts say

Almaty. March 27. Silkroadnews – Corruption in the security forces of Afghanistan, combined with the incompetence of command, are the main reasons for the Afghan security forces' ineffectiveness, such opinion was expressed by John F. Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), Afghan Telegraph Agency (AfTAG) reports.

“Undoubtedly, the two main problems in Afghanistan are corruption and incompetence of the Afghan security forces. In many cases they go hand in hand”, he said, speaking at the conference at Duke University.

He also raised the problem of “ghost employees” in the Afghan security forces and said their salaries are appropriated by senior commanders.

““Ghost soldiers” exist, as their names are either included in the lists of the Afghan army, or were never excluded from there, and the senior commanders put these ghosts’ salaries into pocket. If commanders behave this way, why are we surprised that 75 percent of losses by the Afghan security forces is nothing but simply the soldiers leaving?” John Sopko said.

He reminded, over the past 15 years the US has spent more than $117 billion in Afghanistan.

“To date only the US have allocated more than $117 billion to Afghanistan’s reconstruction efforts. Of these 117 billion more than 8 billion are still to be invested, and the United States committed to allocate 5-6 billion annually throughout 2020”, he added.

According to inspector, all the anti-drug programs of the USA have completely failed in Afghanistan. He noted, the US spent more than $8.5 billion on the fight against drugs. Nevertheless, the opiates production in the country is growing.

He also said, millions of dollars are being stolen in Afghanistan on reconstruction projects, as well as under the pretext of assistance provided to security agencies. Up to a billion dollars of doubtful expenses have been revealed, these funds could be spent in a more rational way. As the submitted documents showed, the US army servicemen are often get involved in such schemes.

Thus, according to John Sopko, despite quite significant spending by the US, their real effectiveness in Afghanistan are put in doubt.

SIGAR data shows, a massive inflow of US aid, contractors and military funding “under a very little control” further contributed to worsen situation with corruption prospering in the country.