Our mission in Afghanistan: Why are we there?

Because the Afghan government asked for our help

Canada and the 36 other nations participating in the International Security Assistance Force (a NATO-led, U.N.-sanctioned mission) are in Afghanistan at the request of the democratically elected government of President Hamid Karzai to help the Afghan people rebuild their nation as a stable, democratic, self-sufficient society.

All Canadian military operations in Afghanistan are conducted with the consent of the Afghan government to establish the security required to promote development and an environment conducive to the improvement of Afghan life. This mission includes (but is not limited to) the following tasks:

• Conduct operations in support of the Afghan National Army and the Afghan National Police;
• Help the Government of Afghanistan and its institutions strengthen and enhance their capacity for good governance;
• Help the Government of Afghanistan extend its authority in the southern provinces;
• Facilitate the delivery of programs and projects that support national economic recovery and rehabilitation; and
• Support Canadian governmental and non-governmental organizations that help Afghans meet their personal and family needs.

Canada’s continued engagement in Afghanistan helps create the conditions for longer-term reconstruction.

Canada has shown leadership by committing troops, resources, development and political effort to help the Afghan government secure a better future for its people. We have made a commitment to the Afghan people and we will stand by that commitment.

Because what’s good for Afghanistan is good for us all

Canada’s efforts in Afghanistan are guided by the Afghanistan Compact, which includes a five-year framework for coordinating the work of the Afghan government and its international partners, outlining specific outcomes related to security, governance and development with benchmarks and delivery schedules.

For example, a new Afghan constitution has restored the rule of law and respect for the human rights of all Afghan citizens, including women and children. The Afghan people now vote, women and girls have rights, and children are going to school.

The biggest threat to rebuilding is continued violence and threats from the Taliban and al-Qaeda. In fact, terrorism is a clear and present threat to global peace and security, and terrorists used Afghanistan as a base of operations during the seven-year Taliban regime. In the interest of collective security, Canada and its international partners share a duty to help ensure that terrorism cannot take root again in Afghanistan.

Because it’s a tough job, and we have the right people to do it

Afghanistan is not a peacekeeping mission. There are no ceasefire arrangements to enforce or negotiated peace settlements to respect.

We know that our mission cannot be accomplished by military means alone. The U.N. has about 20 agencies working tirelessly to help the Afghan people and their national government build a democratic and secure society, and many other humanitarian and development agencies are also running valuable programs in Afghanistan.

As well as military personnel, the Canadian effort in Afghanistan includes diplomats, development workers, police officers, and experts in human rights, good governance, the rule of law, and the institutions of a healthy democracy. This wide range of expertise has been assembled to bring a “whole of government” approach to the complex task of nation-building.

The situation today

Canada currently has about 2,500 CF personnel deployed in southwest Asia to conduct five missions with one overarching objective: to bring an end to international terrorism that threatens global security.

Missions in Afghanistan

• Operation ATHENA: Joint Task Force Afghanistan, the Canadian contingent of the International Security Assistance Force.
• Operation ARCHER: Canada’s participation in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.
• Operation ARGUS: The Strategic Advisory Team working with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.