US Watchdog SIGAR Shuts Down After 17 Years Overseeing Afghanistan Aid

DID Press: US Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) has announced it will cease operations at the end of January, bringing to a close 17 years of oversight of American spending and assistance in Afghanistan.

Established by the US Congress in 2008, SIGAR was tasked with monitoring billions of dollars in US aid and reconstruction projects. In a message posted on X, the watchdog thanked those who had cooperated with or followed its work over the years, confirming that January 31 will be its final working day. John Sopko led the office for most of its existence.

Earlier, SIGAR had recommended to Congress that its mission be terminated due to the sharp reduction in US aid to Afghanistan, proposing that from fiscal year 2026 onward, oversight responsibilities be transferred to the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Over nearly two decades, SIGAR repeatedly exposed corruption, mismanagement, and fraud in Afghanistan’s reconstruction efforts. In its final report, the watchdog said the United States has remained Afghanistan’s largest donor even after its withdrawal, providing $3.8 billion to the country under Taliban rule—funds that, according to SIGAR, ultimately benefited the Taliban.

Despite this, the US government has suspended aid to Afghanistan and several other countries, with the State Department stating that assistance had been reaching “terrorist Taliban.” Nevertheless, weekly US cash transfers to Kabul reportedly continue, with sources saying at least $40 million is delivered each week.