The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction reviewed the Afghan government’s efforts to implement its anti-corruption strategy and other reforms. SIGAR found the effort had begun, but questions remain regarding its ability to fully implement the strategy and demonstrate a lasting commitment to combatting corruption. So far, three objectives have been met. The High Council released the strategy last year, albeit late, and President Ghani ordered its implementation in December. Further, all five revenue-generating ministries have publicly reported on their progress implementing their anti-corruption action plans.
However, while the strategy is a positive step, it has weaknesses and it does not meet some international standards and best practices. Specifically, the strategy’s authors did not fully engage Afghan civil society organizations and ministries, even though some will be responsible for the strategy’s implementation. In addition, the strategy’s goals and benchmarks are not fully aligned. The strategy focuses primarily on 15 “priority” ministries but leaves the role of Afghanistan’s largest ministry, the Ministry of Defense, unclear. The strategy also does not fully incorporate Afghanistan’s other ongoing anti-corruption initiatives. Moreover, the strategy fails to call for the establishment of a permanent and fully independent anti-corruption organization to oversee, coordinate, and implement anti-corruption initiatives.
