For immediate release, December 3, 2011
Contact: Allison Sturma, 202-429-4725

(Washington) – Since 2002, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has played an important role in promoting a stable Afghanistan and in implementing rule of law and reconciliation projects. USIP experts are available for comment and analysis on Afghanistan’s future as the international community meets in Bonn on December 5 for the International Afghanistan Conference.

Hamish Nixon, coordinator of a research project for USIP and the Peace Research Institute of Oslo on creating durable peace in Afghanistan, will speak at the Afghanistan Civil Society Forum. The Forum, a group of 34 delegates – 18 men and 16 women – from Afghan civil society will also be presenting their recommendations for the future of Afghanistan before the Bonn Conference. Nixon stated:

"The Civil Society Forum is an important opportunity for Afghan civil society to connect with the international community and public about the view from outside government on the challenges Afghanistan faces, and may be able to lay the ground for a more active role for civil actors in Afghanistan to shape the political process in the future."

Hamish Nixon (for requests relating to the Civil Society Forum)
Email: hamish.nixon@gmail.com
Skype: Hamish_nixon

Andrew Wilder, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan programs at USIP, stated that:

“Pakistan has frequently made clear that it will need to play a central role in an Afghan peace process, along with the Afghan government and the U.S. The further deterioration of the already troubled Pakistan - U.S. relationship due to the death of Pakistani soldiers in a NATO/ISAF strike on Pakistani border posts will make the extremely difficult task of promoting peace in Afghanistan even more challenging. Pakistan’s boycott of the Bonn Conference further reduces the likelihood that the conference will be able to play a significant role in breathing life into the flagging peace process.

“The negative impact of the Pakistan – U.S. relationship, as well as the difficult Af-Pak relationship, on the peace process is unfortunately likely to be felt long after the Bonn Conference concludes."

Andrew Wilder, director of Afghanistan and Pakistan programs
Office: 202-429-4702
E-mail: awilder@usip.org

Scott Worden, USIP senior rule of law adviser, looked at Afghanistan’s internal dynamics:

"The Bonn Conference will be another opportunity for the U.S., Afghanistan, and the international community to re-affirm their commitment to supporting a stable and peaceful Afghanistan. But it is unlikely to address the most fundamental obstacles of Afghan political reforms and committing to a peace dialogue with the Taliban."

Scott Worden, senior rule of law adviser
Office: 202-429-3811
E-mail: sworden@usip.org

Additional resources:

• Achieving Durable Peace in Afghanistan: Afghan Perspectives on a Peace Process
  Report (.pdf) by Hamish Nixon | June 2011
• Istanbul and Bonn Conferences: Building Blocks of the Afghan Transition Process
  Peacebrief by Hodei Sultan | September 2011
• Designing a Comprehensive Peace Process for Afghanistan
  Peaceworks by Lisa Schirch | September 2011

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The United States Institute of Peace is the independent, nonpartisan conflict management center created by Congress to prevent and mitigate international conflict without resorting to violence. USIP works to save lives, increase the government’s ability to deal with conflicts before they escalate, reduce government costs, and enhance national security. USIP is headquartered in Washington, DC. To learn more visit www.usip.org.