New Ministry of Interior inspector general committed to combatting corruption

Photo By Lt.Cmdr. Charity Edgar | Navy Cmdr. David Cisneros was mobilized from U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., to Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan. He serves as the Ministry of Interior senior adviser for Essential Function Two, which provides guidance on development of internal controls that promote transparency, accountability and oversight.  

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

07.13.2015

Story by Lt.j.g. Charity Edgar 

Resolute Support Headquarters

KABUL, Afghanistan — Maj. Gen. Rahimullah Borhani has only been in office as inspector general for just over one month, but he has already highlighted his intent to reduce corruption within the Ministry of Interior.

The new Minister of Interior inspector general has had previous exposure to the office and the problems that have traditionally been associated with it. He most recently served as the chief of staff for the deputy minister for security before being appointed to his current post June 11.

The Badakhshan native has a master’s degree in political science and has also served as an instructor in management, leadership and effective writing for the Ministry of Defense.

Borhani was appointed to serve as the new Minister of Interior inspector general based on his qualifications and vast institutional knowledge, said Navy Cmdr. David Cisneros, who was mobilized from U.S. Central Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, to Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan.

Cisneros serves as the Ministry of Interior senior adviser for Essential Function Two, which provides guidance on transparency, accountability and oversight. Borhani serves as the main interface for the organization as they train, advise and assist the Ministry of Interior.

“Having a strong and effective leader greatly helps our mission as we increase the capability of that office, which in turn increases transparency throughout the ministry,” said Cisneros. “Maj. Gen. Borhani is receptive to the train, advise and assist mission and is willing to listen to and act upon recommendations for improvements in his office.”

Cisneros said that in his new role as inspector general, Borhani is responsible for oversight and accountability in pending corruption cases within the ministry and police force, as well as ensuring the cases are investigated and prosecuted, if necessary.

Internal control implementation, policy development and improvement and the oversight of active cases are main areas of focus for Essential Function Two advisors.

“Internal controls are basically taking a look at a program or policy, evaluating its effectiveness, looking for vulnerabilities and making corrections to fix it,” summarized Cisneros.

“This is an important program we are working on with Maj. Gen. Borhani and he is committed to its success,” said Cisneros. “Internal controls minimize the opportunity for corruption and its impact on the ministry.”

Cisneros also stated that Borhani is very concerned with the reputation of the inspector general office and bringing greater transparency to the Ministry of Interior as a whole.

“I will not tolerate corruption in the inspector general [office],” Borhani told his staff. “If anyone in this office is caught conducting corrupt activities, I will take you directly to the Attorney General Office for prosecution.”

Cisneros said that because of his long service to the government and his reputation as a strong leader, deputy ministers within the Ministry of Interior have very high regard for Borhani and respect his insight.

“Maj. Gen. Borhani has a good relationship with ministry leadership and works within the structure very easily,” said Cisneros. “He knows how the processes work, how to get what he needs and how to implement policy changes. Maj. Gen. Borhani is very focused, task-oriented and responsive.”

Cisneros has plenty of experience with these complex issues. He deployed to International Security Assistance Force Combined Joint Interagency Task Force-Shafafiyat in 2013, which was the predecessor to Essential Function Two, encouraging dialogue on transparency within the Afghan Security Institutions, as well as external pressure for greater oversight.

Cisneros understands the intricacies of working to achieve anticorruption and transparency, and says that he believes having an effective inspector general is the key for success.

• Date Taken: 07.13.2015
• Date Posted: 07.13.2015 05:18
• Story ID: 169833
• Location: KABUL, AF
• Hometown: KABUL, AF
• Hometown: COPENHAGEN, DK
• Hometown: MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US
• Hometown: THE PENTAGON, DC, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US