"VAN" (International Desk) :: The State Department has announced it would withdraw and withhold $160 million from the planned assistance to Afghanistan due to corruption.

According to a statement released by State Department “We expect the assistance funds we provide to Afghanistan to serve the interests of all Afghan citizens. Due to identified Afghan Government corruption and financial mismanagement, the U.S. Government is returning approximately $100 million to the U.S. Treasury that was intended for a large energy infrastructure project.”

The statement further added it would withhold further $60 million in planned assistance due to the government’s failure to meet benchmarks for transparency and accountability in public financial management.

Furthermore, the State Department said lack of transparency surrounding procurement decisions by the National Procurement Authority is also great cause for concern.

“We also have concluded that the Afghan government’s Monitoring and Evaluation Committee is incapable of being a partner in the international effort to build a better future for the Afghan people,” the State Department said, adding that “We will cease funding to this entity at the end of this calendar year.”

Meanwhile, the State Department said it expect the Afghan government to demonstrate a clear commitment to fight corruption, to serve the Afghan people, and to maintain their trust, insisting that “Afghan leaders who fail to meet this standard should be held accountable.”
Credit :: KHAAMA

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