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US refuses to release $7bn frozen funds to Afghanistan, but commits to $150mn aid packages

Washington, United StatesEdited By: Tanisha RajputUpdated: Aug 17, 2022, 07:35 PM IST
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The group has ordered many women and girls to remain at home. Photograph:(Agencies)

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This week marks the one-year sombre anniversary of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan

After the assassination of al-Qaeda chief Ayman-al Zawahiri in Kabul, the Biden administration chose not to release any of the $7 billion of foreign assets held by Afghanistan’s central bank on US soil and has halted negotiations with the Taliban on the funds. But at the same time, in order to strengthen international assistance, USAID, the global humanitarian assistance arm of the US, has announced three aid packages worth $150 million for Afghanistan.

This week marks the one-year somber anniversary of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Following the militant group’s announcement of banning girls from attending schools after sixth grade, this investment is the most recent one to upgrade different sectors in the country. The USAID will give $30 million to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, for the betterment of Afghan women. An amount of $40 million will go to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the remaining $80 million to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Biden administration officials cited that Zawahiri’s living safely in Afghanistan, until the drone strike killed him, played a significant role in the decision to freeze funds. This decision also dashes expectations for an economic resurgence in the country.

In conversation with WSJ, US Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West said that the Taliban’s hiding the al-Qaeda chief underlines deep concerns the country has regarding the flow of funds to the terrorist group. When further asked about whether the group can obtain aid for people, the representative responded that the authorities don’t see the group as being responsible enough for managing the assets.

In the past, US President Joe Biden stated that he intends to give the families of 9/11 victims half of the $7 billion fund and the remaining to a trust fund for humanitarian relief to the Afghan people. However, considering that it would ultimately be the Taliban delivering the aid, this option seems out of the relevance line. However, critics have criticised Biden’s decision stating it was an unfair collective punishment for the Afghans.

However, it seems as if the US is now trying to normalise relations with the Taliban. The latest engagements made by the US in form of aid are being looked at as an engagement and reach out to the Taliban to bring the relation back on track.

But now one question arises can the Biden administration after the Zawahiri’s killing go further? The US would want further information on this. On the other hand, the Taliban apparently be seeking recognition and a bailout from its financial crisis. 

(With inputs from agencies)

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