According to an AP report By HEIDI VOGT filed this morning, Afghanistan’s president issued a decree today giving a four-month deadline for private security companies to register and join the Afghan Police Force or disband.
According to the article:
“It does provide an exception for private security firms working inside of compounds used by international groups, including embassies, businesses and non-governmental organizations.
“They will have to stay inside of the organization’s compound and will have to be registered with the Interior Ministry,” the decree states.
All security outside of these compounds will be provided by Afghan security forces, as will all security for supply convoys for international troops, the decree says.”
This move will result in either the Afghani Police actually becoming an effective force, or more likely, in speeding up the withdrawal timetable of US and NATO forces. There is little chance that commercial businesses who provide security services will allow themselves to effectively be nationalized. This move will also most likely trepidation on the part of those interested in investing in Afghanistan as they concern themselves over security of their investments as well as the threat of further nationalization.
Afghanistan is assuming a serious risk with this move as they have proven unable to secure their own objectives, let alone guard coalition partners. In order to make up the shortfall of over 30,000 security contractors who currently protect convoys and installations, coalition forces will need to substantially increase the number of troops on the ground or develop alternative and more costly logistic strategies. Either alternative will surely cause countries already strapped for cash to question their commitment to Afghanistan’s security.
Ironically, the Karzai regime may become victim to its own decision to take on too much, too soon.