In a recent revelation, the official watchdog overseeing U.S. aid to Afghanistan declared that the Taliban holds no legal claim to the multibillion-dollar Afghan funds. These funds have been provisioned for Afghanistan but remain out of reach for the Taliban as they are not internationally recognized as the country's legitimate government and are subject to significant sanctions.
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, in a detailed report released on Friday, suggested that the past administration under President Donald Trump, along with Congress, should reconsider the custodial ownership of nearly $4 billion initially set aside for Afghanistan. This consideration may lead to the U.S. government reclaiming these assets for direct control.
Back in 2022, the U.S. made the significant move of transferring $3.5 billion in assets from Afghanistan's central bank that had been frozen on American soil to a Swiss-trust, the Fund for the Afghan People. This fund's value has since increased to almost $4 billion. Although no disbursements directly supporting Afghans have transpired, the fund's primary intention remains to bolster Afghanistan's fragile economy.
The watchdog emphasized, Despite the Taliban's clear aims to access these funds, they possess absolutely no legal entitlement. Their non-recognition by the U.S. and sanctions from both the U.S. and the United Nations further validate this stance.
This announcement follows a previous policy move by the Trump administration to halt foreign aid for 90 days, ensuring all assistance aligns with strategic U.S. interests. Since the U.S. military's withdrawal in 2021, the country has funneled approximately $3.71 billion into Afghanistan, primarily distributed through U.N. agencies. A further $1.2 billion remains accessible, pending potential allocation.
Despite considerable humanitarian endeavors reportedly preventing famine, the report notes these efforts have not substantially altered the Taliban's aggressive conduct, including incidents of hostage-taking, suppression of women's rights, media censorship, fostering terrorist activities, or persecution of former Afghan officials.
The United States continues to be Afghanistan's most significant donor. However, the inspector general's report highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and the misuse of funds, noting, The further the cash travels from its origin, the less transparent the transactions become. This concern was echoed by Chris Borgeson, deputy inspector general, during an early discussion in August.
The debate surrounding the rightful custodianship of Afghan assets remains a focal point in international discussions, as global powers deliberate the balance between humanitarian aid and strategic political stances, striving to support the Afghan populace without inadvertently empowering oppressive regimes.