Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform (GFN-SSR)

All Along the Watch Tower: Bringing Peace to the Afghanistan Pakistan Border

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Given increasing insurgency and intractable political discontent along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, there is growing concern about the rationale and tactics of international stabilisation efforts in the region. This paper, by Peter Middlebrook and Sharon Miller, discusses the political history of the Afghan-Pakistan border region and current international stabilisation initiatives. Without a border settlement plan and reconciliation of border factions, international operations will not create a stable axis of political, military and economic consensus among Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

The Durand line is the 2,640 kilometre line which was established in 1893 to divide British India from Afghanistan. Today, it constitutes the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and is the site of substantial international stabilisation efforts by the United Nations-mandated International Security Assistance Force and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (ISAF/NATO). The Durand Line region is occupied by Afghanis, Pakistanis and tribal groups with origins in Iran.

Profound political discontent in the region continues to be expressed by communities and tribal groups who do not recognise the validity of the Durand Line. This discontent, translated into insurgency, makes it impossible to impose effective state control over terrorism, narcotics and smuggling activity.

Current stabilisation initiatives led by ISAF/NATO aim to help establish conditions in which Afghanistan can enjoy a representative government, peace and security. The absence of a formal peace agreement and border settlement plan for the region raises questions as to whether the current ISAF/NATO approach is likely to lead to increased stability over the longer term.

The following summarises the analysis of current political issues and recommendations for actions to address deficiencies in current international stabilisation efforts in the Durand Line region:

• A bolder and more pragmatic approach to overcoming the complex and contested history of the region is required; the simmering civil war between rival political entities has not been nullified by ISAF/NATO efforts to foster regional stability.
• The current standoff between state (Afghan and Pakistan) and non-state (Pashtuns, etc.) constitutes nothing short of civil war.
• Absent tenable alternatives; the Durand Line must be enforced in the interest of creating political stability for the region.
• Given that the Durand Line continues to ignite nationalistic fervour among regional factions, a new agreement could be undertaken that reflects a bilateral (Afghan-Pakistani) agreement to resolving the border issue, even if it was essentially the existing Durand Line but under a new name and with international backing.
• Without a parallel track of political diplomacy, the current ISAF/NATO stabilisation exercise is stop-gap at best.
• A peace agreement should be established between Afghanistan and Pakistan, acceptable to India and brokered through the UN, as the starting point for regional reconciliation.
• Unless Pakistan is made to feel secure in its relationship to both India and Afghanistan, it is unlikely to build a common Afghan-Pakistan-Indian axis.
• Failure to develop political and military consensus linking Afghanistan, Pakistan and India will only expedite the realignment of states north of Afghanistan towards a political bent that is Chino-Russian, one that would strengthen ties with Iran.
• Afghanistan should undertake a transitional justice programme, similar to South Africa, whereby grievances can be aired and the discontents of history can finally be released.

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