Hanif Atmar - at last some good news for Afghanistan...?

Hanif Atmar's performance in Karzai's government since 2002 has consistently been a genuine piece of good news.  He has already transformed two other ministries - Rural Rehabilitation and Development (02 - 06) and Education (06 - 08).  He now looks set to do the same with an even more crucial part of the Afghan government - the Interior Ministry.

The reform of the Afghan National Police has proceeded at a woeful pace, hampered every step of the way by poor coordination, corruption, incompetence and fragmented efforts.  Even now, in 2008, the ANP are arguably still more of the problem than the solution - low morale, poor salary and numerous casualties from insurgent attacks mean that posts are frequently deserted, fraternisation with the Taliban takes place at the local level and police "checkpoints" are still the only solid guarantee of an income that some police forces have. 

Hanif Atmar's move to the Ministry of Interior can mean only good.  He has a reputation for efficiency, effectiveness and, crucially, appears to be free from corruption.  He has done good work in his previous two ministries and Karzai's move of Atmar to the Interior Ministry looks well thought out and forward looking.  The Interior Ministry has long been in desperate need of a thorough going over: slow progress, corruption and lack of capacity have undermined a vital aspect of governance.  Atmar is unlikely to be tolerant of corruption and inefficiency.  He is likely to shake things up and, as a result, will be certain to meet institutional fear, suspicion and a lack of co-operation both within Kabul and in the provinces.  He will therefore increase the risks to himself personally as recipients of nepotism, poor quality officials and the corrupt now stand to lose position, money and influence.  He will not be popular.

A much needed step in the right direction...