Int'l community blamed for instability in Afghanistan

Kabul, Aug 30 (UNI) Brussels-based think tank, the International Crisis Group, has criticised the ''international community's inability''to carry out a comprehensive security sector reform in Afghanistan pointing to the failure to set up an efficient police force.

In a new report, the ICG states that Afghans view the police more as a source of fear rather than security and the police force remain corrupt, politicised and inefficient. The report states that while there is an emphasis on security, but the move will further undermine the police force as the police are untrained and ill equipped to deal with warfare.

The police force remains highly politicised, corrupt with factional networks and drug alliances competing for posts. The Karzai Government lacks the political will to tackle the situation, as it only transfers police officials from one province to another in response to the complaints against them.

The international community could exert more pressure to ensure institutional reform and accountability, the ICG states. As many as 406 police personnel were killed last year. They had to live in the communities thereby becoming easy targets of the insurgents.

The ICG has called for a focus on accountability, ethnic representation and professionalism with an urgent need to depoliticise and institutionalise appointments and procedures.

UNI