US GAO Cites Lack of Independence, Authority in Afghanistan’s Anti-Corruption Efforts

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO), the supreme auditing institution of the United States, has criticized the Afghan government’s anti-corruption efforts for lacking independence, authority, and transparency.

Lack of Independence

According to a recent report by the GAO, several key issues are plaguing Afghanistan’s Anti-Corruption Office (CAO). Interviews with CAO officials and an assessment funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) revealed that interference from the executive branch has hindered the CAO’s ability to conduct long-term planning and prioritize audits.

Uncertainty in Funding

Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance directly approves, administers, and executes the CAO’s budget on a quarterly basis, leading to uncertainty about funding levels. This lack of stability makes it difficult for the CAO to plan effectively.

Lack of Authority

The GAO report noted that the CAO lacks the authority to:

• Require audited entities to report on actions taken in response to its recommendations
• Demand access to necessary documents and officials
• Publicly release its audit reports

This lack of authority has hindered the CAO’s ability to effectively carry out its mandate and combat corruption in Afghanistan.

Lack of Transparency

The auditor general emphasized that there is no real determination among government leaders to fight corruption, and CAO reports often go unimplemented and unenforced. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to hold individuals accountable for their actions.

Investigation Progress

The report also highlighted the lack of progress in investigating corruption cases referred by the CAO to the Attorney General’s Office. According to figures provided to SIGAR (Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction) by the CAO, out of 160 cases referred during a three-year period:

• Only 7 were still under investigation
• 96 were put on hold

This lack of progress suggests that corruption cases are not being adequately addressed.

Conclusion

The GAO report underscored the importance of ensuring that Supreme Auditing Institutions (SAIs) operate independently and objectively, with access to necessary information and transparency in their processes. The CAO’s lack of authority and independence has hindered its ability to effectively carry out its mandate and combat corruption in Afghanistan.