Bonn Agreement (Afghanistan)
Encyclopedia
Officially the Agreement on Provisional Arrangements in Afghanistan Pending the Re-Establishment of Permanent Government Institutions, the Bonn Agreement was the initial series of agreements intended to re-create the State of Afghanistan
following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan
in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since no nationally-agreed-upon government had existed in Afghanistan since 1979, it was felt necessary to have a transition period before a permanent government was established. A nationally-agreed-upon government would require at least one loya jirga
to be convened; however, in the absence of law and order in the wake of the rapid victory of American
and Afghan Northern Alliance forces, immediate steps were felt to be required.
, Germany
, to decide on a plan for governing the country; as a result, the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) - made up of 30 members, headed by a chairman - was inaugurated on 22 December 2001 with a six-month mandate to be followed by a two-year Transitional Authority (TA), after which elections are to be held.
One of the sections of the Bonn Agreement envisaged the establishment of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
. Resolution 1386
of the United Nations Security Council
subsequently established ISAF.
was established to draft a new constitution in consultation with the public. The Bonn Agreement called for a loya jirga to be convened within 18 months of the establishment of the Transitional Authority and for the use of the 1964 constitution as the basis for a new constitution.
The constitution had been adopted by the loya Jirga on January 4, 2004.
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
following the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Since no nationally-agreed-upon government had existed in Afghanistan since 1979, it was felt necessary to have a transition period before a permanent government was established. A nationally-agreed-upon government would require at least one loya jirga
Loya jirga
A loya jirga is a type of jirga regarded as "grand assembly," a phrase in the Pashto language meaning "grand council." A loya jirga is a mass meeting usually prepared for major events such as choosing a new king, adopting a constitution, or discussing important national political or emergency...
to be convened; however, in the absence of law and order in the wake of the rapid victory of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Afghan Northern Alliance forces, immediate steps were felt to be required.
Overview
In December 2001, a number of prominent Afghans met under UN auspices in BonnBonn
Bonn is the 19th largest city in Germany. Located in the Cologne/Bonn Region, about 25 kilometres south of Cologne on the river Rhine in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, it was the capital of West Germany from 1949 to 1990 and the official seat of government of united Germany from 1990 to 1999....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, to decide on a plan for governing the country; as a result, the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) - made up of 30 members, headed by a chairman - was inaugurated on 22 December 2001 with a six-month mandate to be followed by a two-year Transitional Authority (TA), after which elections are to be held.
One of the sections of the Bonn Agreement envisaged the establishment of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force
International Security Assistance Force
The International Security Assistance Force is a NATO-led security mission in Afghanistan established by the United Nations Security Council on 20 December 2001 by Resolution 1386 as envisaged by the Bonn Agreement...
. Resolution 1386
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1386, adopted unanimously on December 20, 2001, after reaffirming all resolutions on the situation in Afghanistan, particularly resolutions 1378 and 1383 , the Council authorised the establishment of the International Security Assistance Force to assist...
of the United Nations Security Council
United Nations Security Council
The United Nations Security Council is one of the principal organs of the United Nations and is charged with the maintenance of international peace and security. Its powers, outlined in the United Nations Charter, include the establishment of peacekeeping operations, the establishment of...
subsequently established ISAF.
Constitution of Afghanistan
Under the Bonn Agreement the Afghan Constitution CommissionAfghan Constitution Commission
The Afghan Constitution Commission was established October 5, 2002 as required by the Bonn Agreement, which stipulated that a new Afghan constitution be adopted by a loya jirga...
was established to draft a new constitution in consultation with the public. The Bonn Agreement called for a loya jirga to be convened within 18 months of the establishment of the Transitional Authority and for the use of the 1964 constitution as the basis for a new constitution.
The constitution had been adopted by the loya Jirga on January 4, 2004.
Legal system
The Bonn Agreement calls for a judicial commission to rebuild the justice system in accordance with Islamic principles, international standards, the rule of law, and Afghan legal traditions.Judicial branch
The Bonn Agreement called for the establishment of a Supreme Court of Afghanistan.See also
- Bonn Conference
- International Conference on Afghanistan, London (2010)
- List of international conferences on Afghanistan