In their efforts to stabilize Afghanistan, international actors have collaborated with private security companies, the Afghan Public Protection Force, militias and auxiliary police forces. But it has become ever clearer that the creation, training and financing of such ‘force multipliers’ can have serious negative consequences for the local population, ranging from civilian casualties to economic exploitation. Problems with vetting, regulation, command, control and prosecution have highlighted the dangers inherent in the proliferation of pro-government armed groups.
In PRIF Report No. 128 "Undermining Human Security. Private Security Companies, the APPF, Militias and Auxiliary Police in Afghanistan" the authors Elke Krahmann and Cornelius Friesendorf conclude that the Afghan population would be better served by concentrating international resources on creating effective and accountable Afghan military and police forces instead of supporting irregular armed groups.
This PRIF Report is available at PRIF for 10 € or as free PDF download.