National Integrity System Assessment Afghanistan 2015

At the beginning of 2016, Afghanistan stands at a critical juncture that will determine its future as a country. The new democratically-elected government has taken power against a backdrop of withdrawing international forces and recent reports of a worsening security situation in the country. While the immediate prospects for peace remain unclear, what is certain is that long term stability cannot be secured unless a sustained effort is made to tackle corruption in the country. Experience from post-conflict countries around the world shows that widespread corruption undermines the authority of the state and its institutions and provides fertile ground for criminal networks to develop and insurgents to operate. Corruption also deprives the poor and vulnerable of essential services and limits their access to justice. By weakening the bonds of trust between citizens and the state, it heightens the risk of conflict re-emerging.