John Sopko, the former U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), has alleged that a substantial portion of U.S. financial aid has ended up in the hands of the Taliban.
Speaking in an interview with Fox Business on Thursday, Sopko stated that U.S. aid has been channelled into Afghanistan through organisations such as the United Nations and the World Food Programme (WFP), but oversight of its allocation and expenditure has been inadequate.
Previously, Sopko called on Congress to terminate SIGAR after 30 September 2025, citing the significant reduction in U.S. aid to Afghanistan. He underscored that the issue transcends any single institution or individual, attributing it to systemic failures within U.S. agencies to manage financial resources transparently and effectively in Afghanistan over the past two decades.
Earlier this year, Sopko had warned that U.S. funds were being siphoned into the Taliban’s coffers. He also disclosed that certain employees of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) had attempted to report on financial mismanagement in Afghanistan but were ignored in Washington.
Taliban Rejects Allegations
In response to Sopko’s remarks, the Taliban dismissed the claims as baseless. Abdul Latif Nazari, the Taliban’s Deputy Minister of Economy, stated that the group merely facilitates international aid efforts and does not interfere in the distribution of humanitarian assistance.
Sopko has previously warned that terrorist groups could exploit U.S. humanitarian aid, particularly funds sent via the UN to assist impoverished Afghans. He reiterated that a significant share of American taxpayer money, allocated through UN channels for Afghanistan, fails to reach those in need.
Financial Impact and U.S. Policy Shift
According to SIGAR’s latest report, published on 2 February 2025, the U.S. has spent approximately $3.71 billion in Afghanistan since its military withdrawal in 2021, with the majority of funds directed to UN agencies.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a temporary suspension of all foreign aid, including assistance to Afghanistan, for at least three months. This decision has heightened concerns over the future of humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, where millions remain dependent on international support.
Critics of the Taliban contend that the group exploits and interferes with humanitarian aid, diverting resources for its own benefit. Many analysts believe that cutting or suspending U.S. aid could exacerbate Afghanistan’s economic crisis, placing additional strain on the Taliban administration.
