Washington and London are threatening to withdraw military support and international aid if the reports of corruption continue. At least two current ministers have been summoned on embezzlement charges. With billions in aid producing little visible effect the international community is doubtful that producing more would garner any results.
High level confirmation has come from Afghanistan’s attorney general, Fazel Ahmad Faqiryar, that officials in the government are being investigated and that Faqiryar will be recommending that president Karzai prosecute.
The attorney general released his recommendations to Karzai days after the minister for mines, Muhammad Ibrahim Adel, had accepted a $30 million dollar bribe from a Chinese company. Two officials from the Islamic ministry are also being held after they were caught carrying $400,000 from Saudi Arabia where they were sent to lease accommodations for Afghani pilgrims.
Last week saw the Afghani government announcing a new major crimes unit to investigate the affairs of officials. One international official questioned whether it was a publicity coup to find sacrificial lambs.
Gaining consensus among the international community may be the impetus for the government’s latest moves to clean house in Afghanistan.
Written by Seamus Esparza
Posted November 24th, 2009 by Seamus Esparza
