The Great Divide: Examining The Effectiveness Of Walls In Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a country that has been plagued by war and violence for decades, resulting in the construction of various physical barriers and walls to enhance security. The capital city, Kabul, is particularly notable for its extensive network of blast walls, erected to protect against suicide bombings and attacks by insurgent groups such as the Taliban and the Haqqani network. These walls have altered the city's landscape, impacting traffic flow and the aesthetics of the city. Additionally, along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, Pakistan has been constructing a border barrier since 2017 to prevent terrorism, arms and drug trafficking, and illegal immigration. The effectiveness of these walls in Afghanistan is a subject of debate, with some arguing that they provide essential security, while others believe they disrupt daily life and fail to address the root causes of the country's instability.

The impact of the walls on Kabul's appearance

Kabul, Afghanistan's capital city, has undergone a significant transformation in terms of its appearance due to the erection of concrete blast walls. These walls, known as T-walls, serve as a defence mechanism against suicide bombings and are found throughout the city, altering its landscape.

The walls stand tall and thick, reaching up to 20 feet in height and several metres in thickness. They are constructed from concrete and take on the shape of an inverted "T". The walls are a stark and constant reminder of the country's precarious security situation, with each blast prompting the addition of more barriers. This has resulted in a city that resembles a war zone, with the walls impacting the aesthetics and functionality of the urban environment.

The walls have disrupted the flow of the city, causing traffic congestion and impeding the movement of its residents. They have transformed Kabul's streets into concrete canyons, blocking views of iconic buildings and narrowing roads and roundabouts. The walls have also affected businesses, with shopkeepers struggling to find space to operate and customers facing challenges in accessing certain areas.

However, some locals have attempted to reclaim the walls and bring colour to the city. ArtLords, an organisation inspired by Banksy, seeks permission from the government to paint murals on the walls, using them as a canvas to convey social and political messages. Their artwork aims to remind people of societal issues, such as corruption, and to bring some positivity and beauty to the otherwise bleak landscape.

The walls have had a profound impact on the daily lives and psyche of Kabul's residents. They serve as a constant reminder of the ongoing conflict and the fragile security situation. The city's appearance has shifted from one of historical gardens, bazaars, and palaces to a fortress-like environment, impacting the mental well-being and sense of freedom of its inhabitants.

Despite the negative consequences, the blast wall industry is essential for those who make their living from it. It provides an income for people like Muhammad Naseer, who works tirelessly to produce these life-saving barriers. However, the manufacturers acknowledge that their contribution to security comes at a cost to the city's appearance and would gladly return to building roads and bridges if peace were achieved.

The impact of the walls on the economy

Afghanistan's economy is heavily dependent on foreign aid. According to the World Bank, about 40% of its GDP was international aid. In addition, 4% of Afghanistan's GDP was made up of remittances, making it one of the countries most dependent on remittances in the world.

Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan, western powers, including the US, froze the foreign reserves of Da Afghanistan Bank (DAB), the country's central bank, amounting to roughly $9 billion. The US Federal Reserve also froze all of Afghanistan's foreign exchange reserves in its hands, amounting to about $7 billion. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has frozen the Afghan government's access to its resources, which could have been used to help manage the balance of payments and the government's finances. The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have also halted their disbursements to Afghanistan.

The loss of aid and access to foreign reserves has triggered a fiscal collapse in Afghanistan, with the government unable to pay civil servants' salaries and basic expenses. The country's private banks are also at risk of severe collateral damage as they lose access to foreign currency assets.

The economic situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with acute malnutrition spiking across the country and 95% of households experiencing insufficient food consumption and food insecurity. The healthcare system has largely collapsed, with devastating consequences for maternal and infant health, and women's access to sexual and reproductive healthcare.

The walls and barriers erected in response to security concerns have contributed to the economic challenges faced by Afghanistan. They have altered the cityscape, disrupted traffic flow, and made it more difficult for businesses to operate. The negative impact of the walls on the economy is further exacerbated by the psychological toll they take on the country, fostering an atmosphere of fear and pessimism that discourages investment and economic growth.

The walls have also contributed to the brain drain, as experienced professionals and qualified staff choose to flee the country or seek opportunities elsewhere. This loss of human capital further hinders economic development and recovery.

Moreover, the walls have had a direct impact on specific sectors of the economy. For instance, the walls have disrupted the tourism industry, as foreigners are often restricted to the "green zone" and miss out on experiencing the local culture and economy. The presence of walls and security concerns have also affected industries such as carpets, antiques, and leather goods, which relied heavily on foreign customers.

In conclusion, while the construction of walls and barriers may provide some economic benefits in terms of employment and security, their overall impact on Afghanistan's economy is largely negative. They disrupt economic activity, deter investment, and contribute to the brain drain. The walls have also had indirect effects on the economy by disrupting industries such as tourism and local businesses that relied on foreign customers.

The impact of the walls on the local art scene

Afghanistan's art scene has been heavily impacted by the country's political and social turmoil, with the presence of walls reflecting the precarious security situation and influencing artistic expression.

The proliferation of blast walls and barriers in cities like Kabul has had a significant impact on the aesthetic and functionality of urban spaces. While these structures serve as a necessary defence against suicide bombings and attacks, they have also been criticised for ruining the city's appearance and creating a war-like atmosphere. Artists have sought to reclaim these spaces by using the walls as canvases for their work, adding a layer of creativity and expression to an otherwise bleak environment.

Art collectives like ArtLords have emerged, using art as a form of activism and social commentary. They paint murals on blast walls to address societal issues such as corruption and to remind people of the scourges of war and violence. This form of "artivism" aims to turn Kabul back into the cultural hub it once was and provide a means of empowerment and healing for the community.

The walls have also influenced the work of individual artists, who find inspiration in the political and social realities of their nation. For example, Jahan Ara Rafi's use of bold red against black in her paintings reflects the frustration and imagery of war that Afghans have endured. Zainab Haidary, another artist, incorporates abstract and minimalist styles to convey the complexities of war and its impact.

Additionally, the walls themselves have become subjects of artistic expression. Photographers and painters capture the walls in their work, documenting the transformation of the urban landscape and the daily lives of those navigating these spaces.

Despite the challenges posed by the walls, Afghanistan's art scene persists and evolves. Artists continue to find ways to express themselves and engage with their community, using art as a tool for social empowerment and a means to process collective trauma. While the presence of walls may be a constant reminder of conflict, they have also sparked creativity and provided a unique platform for artistic voices to emerge and be heard.

The impact of the walls on the local population

On the one hand, the walls are seen as a necessary security measure to protect against suicide bombings and attacks by the Taliban and other insurgent groups. The demand for these walls is driven by the precarious security situation in cities like Kabul, which has experienced frequent blasts and a resurgent Taliban presence. The walls are meant to act as a first line of defence and have undoubtedly saved lives.

On the other hand, critics argue that the walls ruin the appearance of the city, making it look like a war zone or a prison. The walls and roadblocks cause traffic jams and make navigation within the city frustrating and time-consuming. They also block views of iconic buildings and narrow roads and roundabouts. The walls have a psychological impact on the people, who feel that their leaders are only concerned about their own protection. The walls have also had a negative economic impact, with businesses losing customers due to restricted access and an uninviting atmosphere.

Some Afghans have found creative ways to protest against the walls and reclaim their city. A group called ArtLords, for instance, paints murals on the walls to send political messages and turn Kabul back into the city of culture it once was.

Overall, while the walls may provide some level of security, they also impose several hardships on the local population, affecting their daily lives and livelihoods.

The Afghanistan-Pakistan border barrier

The border barrier consists of two sets of chain-link fences, with surveillance cameras and infrared detectors, and is expected to cost over $500 million. The fencing is designed to impede the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani Taliban from freely crossing the border to coordinate and launch attacks and evade authorities on either side. In addition to the fencing, Pakistan has also constructed border posts, forts, and watchtowers, with drones providing additional surveillance.

The progress of the construction has been interrupted by opposition from Afghanistan, which disputes the legitimacy of the Durand Line as a colonial imposition that divides the Pashtun tribes. Despite these objections, Pakistan has continued with the fencing, citing its legal right to secure its borders and protect its national interests. As of April 2023, about 98% of the fencing has been completed, with only a 20-kilometre stretch remaining.

The impact of the border barrier has been mixed. While it has successfully reduced the number of cross-border attacks, it has also disrupted the daily lives of families with relatives on both sides of the border and affected farmers whose lands straddle the border. It has also impacted trade and social connections between the two countries, with Pakistan imposing strict limitations on civilian traffic and visas for cross-border movements.

The fencing of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has significant geopolitical implications, with Pakistan aiming to cement the Durand Line as the permanent border between the two countries and address security concerns related to terrorism and drug trafficking. The completion of the barrier will likely lead to a further deterioration of bilateral relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the Taliban challenging a pillar of Pakistan's security policy by repudiating the Durand Line and physically dismantling parts of the fence.

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