Political Reconciliation

One of Canada’s six priorities for moving forward on Afghanistan will be to facilitate Afghan-led efforts towards political reconciliation. Canada’s approach recognizes that Afghanistan cannot create the conditions for sustainable peace through military means alone. An Afghan-led reconciliation process is needed to weaken the insurgency, heal communal divisions, and foster sustainable peace.

While it is the Afghan government’s responsibility to lead national reconciliation efforts, the international community can play a valuable supporting role. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), under the leadership of the UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Kai Eide, is mandated to promote peace and stability in Afghanistan, and to support Afghan-led reconciliation programs.

Canada is ready to support Afghan-led efforts to promote outreach and reconciliation in the interest of a sustainable peace, with the clear understanding that reconciliation only involve those individuals and organizations that agree to renounce violence, respect human rights and the rule of law, and accept the legitimacy of the Afghan government and the Afghan constitution.

To this end, Canada will be contributing up to $14 million* over three years toward:

• the development of Afghan government-led mechanisms that will encourage dialogue; and
• the improvement of the Government of Afghanistan’s capacity to communicate with its citizens, especially in the province Kandahar.

Canadian objectives for 2011

Canada expects that by 2011 national and provincial Afghan government initiatives will encourage political reconciliation and receive timely support from Canada.

Progress will be measured using indicators such as an improved ability within the Afghan government to communicate with its citizens, and the identification of institutions and officials responsible for promoting reconciliation.

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