The United States is reducing aid to Afghanistan by $1 billion this year and is prepared to cut a similar amount in 2021 because of the ongoing feud between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Monday.
“We will also initiate a review of all of our programs and projects to identify additional reductions, and reconsider our pledges to future donor conferences for Afghanistan,” Pompeo said in a statement after a day-long visit to Kabul where he met Ghani and Abdullah.
Pompeo said that the leadership failure poses a direct threat to US national interests.
“We have made clear to the leadership that we will not back security operations that are politically motivated, nor support political leaders who order such operations or those who advocate for or support parallel government,” the statement said.
It said that the US remains convinced that a political settlement is the only solution to the conflict.
“We note that Afghan leaders are acting inconsistently with their commitments under the Joint Declaration, chiefly failing to establish an inclusive national team to participate in intra-Afghan negotiations or take practical steps to facilitate prisoner releases by both sides as a confidence-building measure to reach a political settlement and achieve a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire,” Pompeo said.
He said that the US was proceeding with the conditions-based withdrawal of forces in accordance with the US-Taliban agreement.
“Should Afghan leaders choose to form an inclusive government that can provide security and participate in the peace process, the United States is prepared to support these efforts and revisit the reviews initiated today,” Pompeo said.
“The United States is not abandoning our partnership with Afghanistan, nor our commitment to support the Afghan security forces, but reviewing the scope of our cooperation given the irresponsible actions of Afghan leaders,” Pompeo said.
He added that to illustrate America’s steadfast commitment to the Afghan people, the United States will be providing $15 million in assistance to help combat the spread of the coronavirus in Afghanistan.
