New Zealand to conclude Afghanistan deployment in 2021

The New Zealand Government announced in February that the NZDF’s two-decade and 3,500 personnel deployment to Afghanistan will conclude by May 2021.

“After 20 years of a NZDF presence in Afghanistan, it is now time to conclude our deployment,” said Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in a combined media release with Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta and Defence Minister Peeni Henare.

“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 3,500 NZDF and other agency personnel, whose commitment to replace conflict with peace will always be remembered,” the Prime Minister said.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta said that although the environment remains complex, the intra-Afghan peace process affords Afghanistan the best prospect of an enduring political solution.

“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,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

“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,” said Defence Minister Peeni Henare.

The current deployment of six NZDF personnel, he said, consisted of three deployed to the NATO Resolute Support Mission Headquarters, and three deployed to the Afghanistan National Army Officer Academy (ANAOA).

NZDF personnel boarding a C-130. Image: Ministry of Defence.

Image: NZDF.

At the NATO Resolute Support Mission headquarters, NZDF personnel have been supporting Women, Peace and Security initiatives including in gender advisor roles. This has included assisting in the development of Afghan National Army gender advisers and helping remove barriers for females in the Afghan army, including the establishment of childcare facilities and education and training opportunities.

“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,” stated the Defence Minister. “The success of the mentoring programme being conducted with the ANAOA means it is now self-sufficient enough for New Zealand’s contribution there to conclude.”

NZDF mentors have been supporting the ANAOA since its creation in 2013. They have been part of an international mentoring team together with the United Kingdom, Denmark and formerly Australia and Norway.

The academy produces about 75 percent of Afghan National Army officers. In September 2020, the academy graduated its 5,000th cadet.

“Our NZDF trainers and mentors have made a valuable contribution to the academy which has been developing to self-sufficiency, with our support no longer needed,’’ said Commander Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral Jim Gilmour following the announcement.

“We are also proud to have contributed to women, peace and security initiatives in Afghanistan, and look forward to seeing further progress in Afghanistan as this work continues.

“It has been a privilege to support our Afghan partners and serve alongside them over the years.”