The current mandate for Germany’s involvement in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan runs until 31 January 2013. It is now to be extended until 28 February 2014. The Cabinet decision must still be approved by the German Bundestag.

Responsible hand-over

Since July 2011 the Afghan security forces have been gradually taking on responsibility for security in Afghanistan. The success of the process means that ISAF troops can be drawn down.  In the north of the country, the Afghan forces are operating increasingly independently. The soldiers of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) now only provide advice and back-up support.

This trend makes it possible to responsibly lower the current ceiling on German troops, from 4,900 to 4,400. This ceiling will include the additional personnel required to ensure the planned withdrawal.

By the end of this mandate, on 28 February 2014, the German contingent in Afghanistan is to be further reduced, to a maximum of 3,300.

The German troops will be drawn down in line with the prevailing security situation. Troop reductions must not jeopardise the security of the German troops themselves or the sustainability of the hand-over process.

Progress on the security front in Afghanistan

The positive developments in the security situation in many provinces of northern Afghanistan are making it possible to reduce the number of troops deployed. This continues to be the main area of assignment for the Federal Armed Forces. They are stationed in an area that is half the size of the Federal Republic of Germany.

In many regions, the ISAF troops have already started to hand over responsibility for security to the Afghan security forces; in others the process is complete. The responsibility for the provincial reconstruction teams in Faizabad and Kunduz was recently transferred to the German Federal Foreign Office. This development mirrors the positive trend. At the start of 2012 it was possible to reduce the strength of the German contingent for the first time.

Longer mandate

The new mandate is somewhat longer than its predecessors, at 13 months. "This mandate is one month longer to bring it into line with the political calendar and in view of the fact that we are approaching the presidential elections in Afghanistan," said Federal Defence Minister Thomas de Maizière. Thus, the next German government and the next German Bundestag can take the latest developments into account when they come to make their decision.

Thomas De Maizièreexplained that this mandate is internationally appropriate, politically responsible and geared to the military situation on the ground.

Engagement after 2014

By the end of 2014 Afghanistan is to be enabled to ensure its own security. By then the full responsibility is to have been transferred to the Afghan side. This was laid down at the Kabul Conference in July 2010 and the NATO summit in Lisbon in November 2010. 

But Germany’s engagement in Afghanistan will not end in 2014. "We will not be abandoning Afghanistan," said Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle during the visit of his Afghan opposite number Zalmay Rassoul to Berlin on 26 November 2012. Even when the full responsibility for security has been handed over to the Afghan side, the international community, including Germany, will continue to support the country.

It seems certain that the Afghan security forces will continue to need advice, training and support even after 2014. A follow-on mission with significantly less personnel will build on a new legal base. Civilian reconstruction too will continue.