December 10, 2012

USIP, on Nov. 28, hosted a roundtable discussion on ways that the Afghan government can empower civil society to play a meaningful role in the country’s oil, gas and mineral industries. Afghan Deputy Minister of Mines Nasir Ahmad Durrani and violence prevention expert Sadaf Lakhani participated in the roundtable, along with representatives from U.S. government agencies, international organizations and nongovernmental organizations. USIP’s Scott Smith, Deputy Director of USIP’s Afghanistan Program, moderated the discussion, which was organized by Rebecca Kullman, Program Specialist in the Center for Sustainable Economies.

Transitions from conflict to peace in general are difficult, long-term processes. These transitions are especially challenging for resource-rich countries like Afghanistan. If extractive sector opportunities are not well-managed, they could reignite conflict by exacerbating inequalities, creating environmental damage, or generating social friction from the displacement of populations.

Civil society engagement, however, has the potential to mitigate violence and benefit Afghanistan in several ways. First, it can facilitate resource management and help address grievances before they devolve into violent conflict. Second, engagement between the government and civil society can enhance social accountability and lead to improved relations between people and the state, a key aspect of strengthening democratic processes and stability over the long-term.