After 20 years of having a presence in Afghanistan, New Zealand will conclude its deployment this year.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare have announced the New Zealand Defence Force deployment to Afghanistan will be conluded by May 2021.
'After 20 years of a NZDF presence in Afghanistan, it is now time to conclude our deployment,” says Jacinda Ardern.
'The deployments to Afghanistan have been one of the longest running in our history, and I wish to acknowledge the 10 New Zealanders who lost their lives in the line of duty, and the more than 3500 NZDF and other agency personnel, whose commitment to replace conflict with peace will always be remembered."
Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta says although the environment remains complex, the intra-Afghan peace process affords Afghanistan the best prospect of an enduring political solution.
'New Zealand's decision to conclude its deployment to Afghanistan in 2021 has been discussed with our key partners, with whom we have cooperated closely over the last 20 years," says Mahuta.
'New Zealand will continue to be supportive of the Afghan Government and its people in the years to come, including as they work through the intra-Afghan peace process in an effort to resolve the decades-long conflict."
Defence Minister Peeni Henare says the current deployment consists of six NZDF personnel – three deployed to the Afghanistan National Army Officer Academy, and three deployed to the NATO Resolute Support Mission Headquarters.
'Together with our partners, New Zealand helped to establish the conditions for the current intra-Afghan peace process. We've supported regional security, and helped to improve the lives of the people of Afghanistan, particularly in Bamyan Province," says Henare.
'Another important element of New Zealand's support for Afghanistan has been our contribution to training and mentoring a new generation of Officers in the Afghanistan Army. The success of the mentoring programme being conducted with the Afghanistan National Army Officer Academy means it is now self-sufficient enough for New Zealand's contribution there to conclude."
2 comments
Hmmm
Posted on 17-02-2021 13:25 | By Let's get real
Probably a good move, but with family history of military service on the Afghanistan/India border back in the late 1800's, I wonder how long before hostilities will resurface. As a side note, I wonder how our elite services are going to get practical training in an active theatre...? Which country will be targeted for international attention next as a training centre.
Ugly business
Posted on 23-02-2021 15:47 | By Slim Shady
Get the boys back home. It was never a good idea to send troops in to chase baddies living in caves, especially when they dress the same as the friendlies. No wonder there was collateral damage. At least when I served in the Falklands it was straightforward - the Argies took our property so we had to go and make them give it back. They had uniforms. They surrendered when the game was up. War is just not the same these days.
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