Donors are frustrated and fed up by “personal agendas” being advanced in Afghanistan despite coronavirus hitting the global economy, a top US diplomat said on Monday.
“As the world gets slammed by COVID-19, with devastating economic consequences for all, donors are frustrated and fed up by personal agendas being advanced ahead of the welfare of the Afghan people,” Alice Wells, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, said on Twitter.
The comment comes as dispute between Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Abdullah Abdullah over leadership remains unresolved following an election last year.
The US has announced plan to cut $1 billion aid to Afghanistan due to the crisis and has threatened to cut the same amount if it is not resolved.
Wells’ comment comes a day after she said: “It can’t be business as usual for international donors in Afghanistan. International aid requires partnership with an inclusive government and we all must hold Afghan leaders accountable to agree on a governing arrangement.”
