US Withholds Afghan Funds Over Corruption

[Valin]

TOLO News

Sept. 19 2019

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo cited corruption and Afghanistan’s “inability to transparently manage US government resources”.

Pompeo said in a statement that the US would complete the energy infrastructure project, but would do so through another mechanism that does not involve giving the money directly to Afghan authorities.

“Afghan government institutions and leaders must be transparent and accountable to the Afghan people. We stand against those who exploit their positions of power and influence to deprive the Afghan people of the benefits of foreign assistance,” he said in the statement.

Pompeo said the US will fulfill its commitment to the project, but it will have to use an “off-budget” mechanism, given “the Afghan government’s inability to transparently manage US Government resources.”

The withholding of $60 million is due to a “lack of transparency surrounding procurement decisions” by the National Procurement Authority, which is “a great cause for concern.”

This may not come as surprise to many Afghans, who, in the midst of a nationwide power outage, read US Ambassador John Bass’ September 18 tweet (which was reported on by Afghan media).

(Snip)