France to train Afghan deputy governors

KABUL beyond the end of the International Security Assistant Force’s combat mission in 2014.

“Now that international forces begin to take a support and advising role, France wants to continue its assistance to Afghanistan to strengthen governance,” a French embassy official said.

Speaking to reporters at the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) here, Olivier Huynh-Van said Afghan deputy governors would attend a four weeks of training programme in his country.

At the National School of Administration, they will be taught different models of sub-national governance being used worldwide. The programme enables participants to strengthen local administration reforms.

The deputy head of cooperation at the French embassy, he renewed support for Afghanistan’s good governance efforts beyond 2014.

IDLG’s Deputy Minister for Financial and Administration Matin Bek views the training programme as effective in capacity building.

The deputy governors, who had already attended such courses in France, have brought home vast experience, he acknowledged. Bek urged France to extend its support to other areas of IDLG as well.

Also present on the occasion, IDLG’s Deputy Minister for Policy Farid Mamondzay said security challenges hampered timely transfer of funds to provinces.

An accord on sub-national governance and capacity-building was signed within framework of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between Afghanistan and France.

In 2012, 15 deputy governors were sent to France for a four-week training programme. In a few days, another 10 deputy governors are scheduled for this training in Paris and other French provinces.

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