Marjah elders schedule regular meetings, offer bridge to community

MARJAH, AFGHANISTAN

05.22.2010

Story by Cpl. James Clark 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

FORWARD OPERATING BASE MARJAH, Afghanistan – City leaders, religious figureheads and tribal elders held a shura, an Afghan gathering akin to a town hall meeting at the government center in Marjah, Afghanistan, May 22.

The gathering was designed to be the first of many, in the hope that holding the monthly shuras will offer city residents a platform where they can communicate their concerns to representatives of their government.

Civil affairs Marines attached with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, and other support personnel met with Haji Zahir, the regional district governor of Marjah, to plan out key points for the meeting.

"Considering that these elders are the bridge by which the government of Afghanistan can reach the people, it was critical that we spend the necessary time and effort to get on the same page," said Maj. David Fennell, the civil affairs team leader with 1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment. "Our biggest goal was to set a follow-on meeting so this could be something lasting and continuous."

The topic which warranted the most discussion at the shura, was on the matter of responsibility, mainly that of the local leaders. Other key points that were addressed were weapons registration and the role of village elders in getting people involved in cash-for-work and reconstruction programs.

"We want them to start taking certain responsibilities for leading their respective blocks and to hold elders accountable for how reconstruction and development is taking root in their respective areas," said Fennell.

After welcoming the elders and going over the goal of the meeting, Zahir turned it over to the local mullah, the community's religious figurehead, to lead them in prayer. Afterward, the floor was opened to the village elders to share their thoughts on the issues facing their community.

One of the elders, a former Mujahedeen commander, whose name is withheld here due to the frailty of affairs in the city, spoke on the importance of local leaders to stand up to insurgents within their own community. He also addressed the pressing need to challenge the foreign fighters moving into Afghanistan's Helmand province in the wake of the poppy harvest, which has flooded the Taliban's funds.

"We need to bring the tribes together. The government is right, we must create shuras," said the elder, who although short and of a slight built, spoke with barely restrained passion, and at times anger. "Iran, Pakistan, both send people over here to destroy our country. We have to be united. Don't move, don't run. The government is your government. They'll help you. The Marines are here as security, here to help our country, we should use them."

Pausing to look around the raised platform where the other men sat, he looked at each of them, meeting their eyes with his, which though shrouded in a sea of wrinkles were a clear and vibrant green.

"We are the leaders of our villages, it is our job to find the solution," continued the elder. "We close our eyes to what we see. There are Taliban in your villages, in my village. This is our fault, we can't blame anyone else. There are 44 countries with soldiers here. We should be taking advantage of them and building our country. Don't close your eyes, don't ignore it. This is our responsibility, we don't have a choice, this is our time."

Several hours later, when the meeting was adjourned and the men shook hands and bid one another farewell, leaving a trail of empty tea cups and crumb filled platters behind them, they continued to talk amongst themselves about one topic in particular, unity.

"From the military perspective, what we need is strong leadership from the Afghan government that is willing to engage and inspire the village elders to believe in the government of Afghanistan," said Fennell. "Someone who can sell the fact that their government is willing and capable of leading their country. The Marines have won the trust of the city's residents. The only open question now is whether or not the government of Afghanistan is capable of enduring. That's the lynchpin to winning Marjah. We've won the trust and confidence of the people, now the government needs to."

"This shura is just a fledgling step towards that goal," said Fennell. "The biggest issue is that [the Afghan people] don't tie the [Afghan security forces] in with the government. They don't equate their military and police with the Afghan government. Having them realize that their government brought these forces here to protect them, is a means of getting to that end state. With a strong leader at the district center, we can get there."

• Date Taken: 05.22.2010
• Date Posted: 05.31.2010 11:49
• Story ID: 50590
• Location: MARJAH, AF