ISAF Mandate and PRT Mission

Apr 26, 2008

ISAF Mandate

ISAF emerged from the Bonn Agreement. The UN Security Council authorized the establishment of ISAF to assist the Afghan government "in the maintenance of security in Kabul and its surrounding areas, so that the Afghan Interim Authority as well as the personnel of the United Nations can operate in a secure environment." NATO assumed command of ISAF in August 2003 and soon after, the UN gave ISAF a mandate to expand outside of Kabul. ISAF took its first step on expansion by taking over PRT Kunduz from the Coalition in December 2003. In the spring of 2004, and further expanded into the North and West of the country in 2004 and 2005.

In July 2006, ISAF expanded into the South, equipped with revised rules of engagement (RoE) and able to conduct more robust operations. On 5 October 2006 authority to command the East transitioned to ISAF and Combined Joint Task Force - 76 (CJTF-76), responsible for the East, fell under command of HQ ISAF for the first time.

PRT Mission

The PRT mission statement is not solely of military origin, as it was agreed on 27 January 2005 as part of the PRT Terms of Reference by the PRT Executive Steering Committee (ESC) in Kabul, an ambassadorial-level body chaired by the Minister of Interior that sets policy for all PRTs
in Afghanistan. The PRT mission statement, which has been incorporated into the ISAF Operational Plan, is as follows:
"Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) will assist the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to extend its authority, in order to facilitate the development of a stable and secure environment in the identified area of operations, and enable Security Sector Reform (SSR) and reconstruction efforts."

A PRT is a joint, integrated military-civilian organisation, staffed and supported by ISAF member countries, operating at provincial level within Afghanistan. A PRT is generally responsible for covering one province, but some have responsibility for two or more.
The Goverment of Afghanistan (GoA) has limited outreach to the provinces. The PRT should not act an alternative to GoA, but rather seek to improve the capacity of the GoA to govern itself. PRTs perform a vital role in occupying the vacuum caused by a weak government presence and hence deterring agents of instability. PRTs seek to establish an environment that is stable enough for international agencies, the local authorities and civil society to engage in reconstruction, political transition and social and economic development.