U.S. watchdog says recent Taliban gains threaten costly Afghan reconstruction
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 9 June 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, U.S. watchdog says recent Taliban gains threaten costly Afghan reconstruction, 9 June 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/576901c06.html [accessed 2 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 09, 2016
The U.S. government's top watchdog on Afghanistan says the United States has wasted billions of dollars in reconstruction aid to Afghanistan during the past decade – and renewed Taliban militancy now threatens the gains that were made.
John Sopko, the special inspector-general for Afghanistan reconstruction (SIGAR), told Reuters on June 9 that "too much money was spent in too small a country with too little oversight."
Sopko also said: "If the security situation continues to deteriorate, even areas where money was spent wisely and gains were made could be jeopardized."
A series of reports by SIGAR conclude that nearly $113 billion appropriated by the U.S. Congress for Afghan reconstruction since 2001 has been plagued by corruption, waste, and mismanagement.
Appointed by President Barack Obama nearly four years ago, Sopko also said the planned drawdown of U.S. troops from Afghanistan could exacerbate the problems with reconstruction aid and add to the amounts already wasted.
Based on reporting by Reuters
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
