Canada's Role in creating political stability in Afghanistan



Canada's Role in creating political stability in Afghanistan

Introduction

Canada's involvement in Afghanistan has expanded dramatically since it first participated in the International Security Assistance Force (mandated by the United Nations in late 2001). While Canada did participate in the war on terror in Afghanistan during the first part of 2002, our first deployment under ISAF occurred in the summer of 2003. That mission, Operation Athena as named by the Canadian Forces - was largely undertaken within the relatively safe confines of the capital city of Kabul, and attracted little attention in Canada. Canada began expanding our forces in Afghanistan in the summer of 2005, preparing for combat in the far more dangerous province of Kandahar, home of the Taliban. For the past year, approximately 2,500 members of the Canadian Forces have taken a lead combat role in Kandahar Province under Operation Archer, aided and augmented primarily by troops from Britain and the Netherlands, who are conducting operations in adjoining southern provinces(Warnock 2008). In August 2006, a new NATO command assumed responsibility for operations in this part of Afghanistan while still working in close conjunction with the U.S.-led Operation Enduring Freedom. These NATO allies are often called upon to provide air support for Canadian troops on the ground. Since Operation Archer began, 44 Canadian troops and one diplomat have been killed in Afghanistan; about 200 soldiers have been wounded. In February 2006, Canada and 40 other countries including Afghanistan, signed “The Afghanistan Compact.” The Compact sets out detailed outcomes, including benchmarks and timelines, and commits Canada to contributing to the rehabilitation of Afghanistan until February 1st 2011 

Canada and Political stability in Afghanistan

Canada is in Afghanistan at the request of the democratically elected government to help build a stable, democratic and self-sufficient society. Alongside the UN, NATO and our other partners, Canada has committed to help the people of Afghanistan realize their vision for a country that is secure and at peace with itself and its neighbours; economically self-sufficient; prosperous, with the capacity to deliver fundamental services such as water, health care and education; and governed according to the rule of law(Stein Eugene 2007). On the political side, the goal is to create a stable and democratic society. This includes seeing Afghanistan achieve peace within the country and with its neighbours; promoting a democratic system of government; and governing according to the rule of law, rather than under a system where national and international law is disregarded or not enforced.

Canada is helping Afghanistan advance the rule of law and human rights by sharing expertise through the training of judges and prosecutors and encouraging a transparent and qualifications-based process for appointments. We have recently increased our support for the reform and development of Afghan legal and justice institutions. In Kandahar Province, Canada's multi-disciplinary Provincial Reconstruction Team, combining development and political advisors as well as civilian police and military protection personnel, is bolstering governance, rule of law and human rights in Afghanistan. This team works with local authorities to support Afghan-led efforts to strengthen governance structures. For example, we have installed a computer network linking the provincial and national ...