Land Tenure and Property Rights in Afghanistan

Local disputes in Afghanistan are related in part to conflicting
claims over land and resource rights, including disputes related to
resettlement of Internally Displaced Peoples (IDPs) and refugees,
conflict over control of pasture and water, and participation in
the opium economy. The sale or lease of state-held land by the
government subject to counter customary claims is causing
tension.

The Afghan Government and international donors are
increasingly recognizing the link between land and resource
tenure and efforts to bring peace and stability and are supporting
some tenure reform activities. However, these initiatives remain
limited in scope and size. Further support to land and resource
tenure reform can help address root causes of instability in
Afghanistan—by expanding to complementary activities or
implementing pilot projects addressing specific tenure concerns.