The UK is at the forefront of the international community’s security and reconstruction efforts to support lasting democracy in Afghanistan. This assistance is underpinned by the UK’s rigorous support for political development, leading to good governance in the country.
Good governance is the phrase we use to describe what we expect of the Afghan Government in its delivery of democracy. That is, ensure that effective, accountable and transparent administration are established at all levels of government. And that measurable improvements in fighting corruption, upholding justice and the rule of law are implemented.
Political progress in Afghanistan since 2001
Since the fall of the Taliban in late 2001 the political situation in Afghanistan has changed dramatically. In December 2001 the United Nations (UN) chaired talks in Bonn, which culminated in an agreement providing a roadmap for a democratically elected government to lead Afghanistan. Under the Bonn Agreement Afghanistan has made a successful transition to democracy.
In June 2002 an Emergency Loya Jirga (grand council) established a broad-based Transitional Administration to govern until democratic elections could be held.
In January 2004 the Constitutional Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) agreed a new Constitution. Presidential elections took place later that year; Parliamentary and Provincial elections followed in 2005. The Bonn process concluded with the inauguration of Afghanistan’s National Assembly on 19 December 2005.
With the formation of both Houses of National Assembly and the appointment of a new Supreme Court the institutions of the three Constitutional branches of Afghanistan’s government have been established.
The Afghanistan Compact
The UK continues to support Afghanistan’s nascent democracy as the Afghanistan Compact makes the institutions put in place under the Bonn process work for the Afghan people.
The Afghanistan Compact is an ambitious programme for change agreed by the Afghan Government and the international community at the London Conference on Afghanistan in early 2006.
The Compact is the result of consultation between the Afghan Government, the United Nations and the international community. It represents a framework for co-operation over the next five years in the areas of security; governance, rule of law and human rights; economic and social development; and the cross-cutting issue of narcotics.
On the basis of the Compact donors committed some $10.5 billion in development assistance to Afghanistan, with the UK pledging an additional £500 million in aid to the country over the next three years.
The Afghanistan Compact (PDF 72kb, opens in a new window)
Paris Conference on Afghanistan, 12 June 2008
Information about the Paris Conference on Afghanistan.
Justice
Information about justice/ rule of law in Afghanistan. What the UK is doing on justice. What the Government of Afghanistan is doing on justice.
The role of the international community
The international community is committed to helping Afghanistan recover from decades of conflict. The UN acts as the coordinator for this effort.
Afghanistan and her neighbours
Afghanistan's pivotal position and decades of civil war have led to the involvement of many neighbouring countries in Afghanistan's internal affairs. It was crucial for Afghanistan to open up a dialogue with its neighbours.
Elections and the Afghan constitution
A detailed look at the elections, the electoral process and the Afghan constitution.
