German Engagement in Afghanistan

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Chancellor Merkel greets German officers in Kunduz in 2009.

(© dpa - Report)

Germany is a strong and reliable partner in the international efforts to help build an Afghanistan that will never again become a haven for terrorists. Ever since international operations began in fall 2001, Germany has been thoroughly committed to the stabilization and reconstruction of Afghanistan, building on historically strong bilateral German-Afghan relations and decades of German reconstruction assistance. The German engagement is fully in line with the priorities for the way ahead in Afghanistan as identified by the U.S. Government and the broader international community: to train the Afghan security forces; to protect the Afghan population; to generate employment opportunities; and to help the Afghan Government to provide education, basic services, and infrastructure. In all of these joint efforts, a responsible handover to Afghan authorities is the guiding principle. Step by step, within the framework of clearly defined stages with interim goals, the Afghans are to assume responsibility for their country. Consequently, Germany continues to follow through on implementation of our comprehensive approach.

Some cornerstones of the German Engagement:

• All in all, over the years more than 30,000 German soldiers and civilians have helped make a difference in Afghanistan.
• With up to 5,350 troops (almost fully deployed), Germany is the third largest troop contributor.
• With a projected five-fold increase in military trainers to 1,400 and an increase in police trainers to 260, Germany is among the largest contributors of training for the Afghan security forces.
• With $1.6 billion spent and an additional $2.3 billion pledged through 2013, Germany is the third largest bilateral donor of foreign assistance. In addition, Germany contributes some 20 percent to the EU assistance to Afghanistan totaling over $2.5 billion.
• Germany was the first to promote a leading role for NATO in Afghanistan and has been NATO’s lead nation for the stabilization of Afghanistan’s northern region for over six years.
• Germany was the first country to leave Kabul to establish a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).
• Germany’s engagement is not limited to the North: German reconstruction projects, air transport, and reconnaissance and communication capabilities benefit all of Afghanistan.

Germany has hosted three international Afghanistan conferences, two in Bonn (2001 and 2002) and one in Berlin (2004), which have helped to reach international agreement on a comprehensive approach in Afghanistan, combining (1) reconstruction aid, (2) capacity building for government institutions, and (3) military means. Military means alone are  insufficient to build a stable Afghanistan capable of protecting its citizens and providing essential services. Only through a comprehensive approach that combines the use of  military tools and reconstruction efforts, it will be possible to establish a self-reliant  security situation and sustainable development.

I. Reconstruction Aid

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Girls study at Feyzabad's Makhfi High School, which was built with funds from the German Foreign Office.

(© picture-alliance/dpa)

Together with its international partners, Germany is helping Afghan men, women, and children to build a better life after decades of war, internal conflict, and Taliban rule. Only through the delivery of basic services, economic opportunity, and a sense of personal security will Afghans decide to firmly side with their government – a critical prerequisite for sustainable security gains in Afghanistan.

In an effort to provide tangible improvements in living conditions to the Afghan populace, German reconstruction aid focuses on energy and water supply, basic education, vocational training, and alternative livelihoods in former drug-producing regions. Major investments in health and infrastructure include the reconstruction of provincial hospitals in Balkh and Faizabad as well as the rehabilitation of airports in Mazar-e-Sharif and Uruzgan.

All in all, Germany is providing $600 million per year in foreign assistance through 2013.

II. Capacity Building for Government Institutions and Security Forces

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Police training in Mazar-e Sharif is part of Germany's efforts in Afghanistan.

(© picture-alliance/dpa)

Sustainable security gains will require the establishment of self-reliant Afghan security forces along with functioning civilian institutions to guide them.

With a view to establishing capable Afghan police forces, Germany has deployed 170 experts, advisors, and trainers (target: 260) and also funds the construction of critically needed police infrastructure such as regional headquarters and academies. The German engagement is complemented by German military police who assist in police training. German expertise also helps build capacity in the judicial sector, criminal investigation, anti-corruption, and border management. Germany contributes $19 million to the international Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan and provided $22 million in support for the Afghan national elections in 2009.

Germany is strongly involved in building a capable Afghan National Army and will increase the total number of trainers to 1,400. In addition, Germany contributes over $70 million to the international Afghan National Army Trust Fund.

In all these efforts to build capable Afghan security forces, German trainers follow what is known as the “partnering approach.” When Afghan forces are deployed after training, German trainers deploy side by side with them to allow for a stronger presence in the field and continued training and mentoring.

Germany will contribute $70 million to the international reintegration fund over five years. The fund will create employment opportunities to convince insurgents, who are fighting more out of economic necessity than for ideological reasons, to lay down their arms and rejoin society.

III. Military Engagement

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A German Bundeswehr soldier and an Afghan ANA soldier rest near Feyzabad, Afghanistan, in 2008.

(© picture-alliance/ dpa)

The German Armed Forces support Afghan government institutions in establishing and maintaining security to facilitate reconstruction of the country in a secure environment. The German Government will increase the Bundeswehr’s ISAF mandate by 500 soldiers, who will perform training, mentoring, defense, and leadership tasks, plus a flexible reserve of an additional 350 soldiers, e.g. to provide security for elections. Additionally, the Quick Reaction Force will be restructured and, when necessary, reinforced. The Bundeswehr will also provide the necessary protection for the additional police trainers and support the training of police officers with German military police.

In addition, Germany runs two Provincial Reconstruction Teams under shared civilian-military command in Kunduz and Feyzabad, a Provincial Advisory Team in Taloqan, a forward support base in Mazar-e-Sharif, and a military medical treatment facility.

The presence of the German Armed Forces should be viewed by the Afghan people as assistance. Security should increasingly have an “Afghan face.” Overall, Germany deploys up to 5,350 soldiers mainly in the northern region of Afghanistan. For over six years, Germany has been NATO’s lead nation for the stabilization of Afghanistan’s North.

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