Afghan leaders one step closer to peace with ‘Voice of East Paktika’ jirga

PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

07.29.2010

Story by Sgt. Katryn McCalment 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

PAKTIKA, Afghanistan – More than 1,500 Afghan nationals attended the Voice of East Paktika Jirga July 29 to discuss peace and tribal security in the seven northern districts of Paktika province.

The regional jirga came just over a week after the International Conference on Afghanistan was held in Kabul, where President Hamid Karzi announced his goal to have Afghan forces lead security operations by 2014.

Security for the event was provided by the Afghan National Army and local Afghan National Police.

The Afghan Ministry of Border and Tribal Affairs and Mohibullah Sameen, governor of Paktika province, hosted the regional event. During the jirga, provincial officials spoke of ways to bring broader security to the districts neighboring the Pakistan border, and used the momentum of the Kabul talks to suggest what can be done at the local level.

The proposal, suggested and endorsed by the Ministry of Border and Tribal Affairs and Sameen, included a security agreement to be signed by each of the district sub-governors.

In the agreement, tribal leaders would prohibit the movement and harboring of insurgents in their villages.

As in-depth conversations began about the conditions of the agreement, torrential rain disrupted the outdoor event, forcing portions of the discussions to be postponed until a later date.

Despite the weather delays, Coalition officials said they were pleased with the progress made during the jirga.

“The agreement will still have to be signed at the district level, but it’s one step closer to peace within Paktika province,” said a U.S. Special Forces officer observing the event.

The Voice of East Paktika was the second jirga in the eastern provinces, following the Paktya province jirga held in June. Future jirgas in the surrounding provinces have also been discussed.

“Each of these regional jirgas increases security down to the village level,” said Lt. Col. Donald Franklin, Special Operations Task Force-East commander. “When the Afghan government and the local people come together, progress is made. We will continue to support them however we can.”

• Date Taken: 07.29.2010
• Date Posted: 07.31.2010 01:35
• Story ID: 53728
• Location: PAKTIKA PROVINCE, AF