Khan Neshin governor reaches out to district elders

KHAN NESHIN DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN

05.23.2012

Story by Anthony Ward Jr 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

KHAN NESHIN DISTRICT, Afghanistan – More than 60 people gathered at the Khan Neshin district center for an elder’s shura, May 13.

Shah Mahmood, the recently appointed governor of Khan Neshin, hosted the district chief of police Juma Khan, U.S. Marine commanders of 1st and 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalions, Lt. Col. George Schreffler and Lt. Col. Mark Clingan and more than 40 district elders, each representing various villages and tribes throughout Khan Neshin.

Once greetings were out the way, often a lengthy affair in Afghan culture, the business commenced.

“The elder’s shura is the main way to bring issues of the local villages to light,” said Shah Mahmood. “The elders come to the shura and discuss them with me.”

Topics brought to the discussion were mainly focused on the goals of securing Afghanistan and improving the lives of the people of Khan Neshin.

“The first priority and the first thing that needs to be done is security,” said Mahmood. “Second is agricultural projects for the people of Khan Neshin.”

“Schools need to be constructed and clinics,” added Mahmood. “As many as possible, one in each village and a drinking water system needs to be established... it’s a very big thing for the population.”

Mahmood then touched on the continued Afghan and coalition partnership, an important issue for his district with Afghan security forces taking more responsibility for security as Marine forces draw down across southern Helmand.

“He mentioned the recent strategic agreement between President Karzai and President Obama,” said U.S. Marine Capt. Trevor S. Forbes, leader of Civil Affairs Team 4, Kilo Detachment, Regimental Combat Team 5. “There’s going to be a long and hopefully fruitful partnership between the two countries.”

Once the district governor had concluded his comments, the district chief of police took his turn speaking with the assembled elders.

“[Juma Khan] stated that he is trying to increase security,” said Forbes. “They’ve made a lot of improvements...he spoke about the great things his police officers have been doing.”

The chief of police also discussed the importance of filling the ranks of his police force with more men from Khan Neshin, seeing a necessity in having the district be guarded by its own people, added Forbes.

Toward the end of the shura, smaller meetings were held to discuss the formation of an elder’s council. This elected council of elders would advise the district governor on important issues in Khan Neshin, with each elder representing his own area of the district and acting on their residents’ behalf.

“The elder’s will be very useful in the transition of Khan Neshin,” said Mahmood. “The benefit of selected elders in the shura is some elders can’t be everywhere and have access to certain areas that another elder might not have.”

“This district council is a huge step with the new district governor,” said Capt. Matthew Pederson, commander of Charlie Co., 3rd LAR. “It shows that this district is heading in the right direction.”

The shura itself was step in the right direction. It was the first formal meeting between the recently appointed district governor and his elders, and allowed the attendees to elect a council of elders, furthering the development of Afghan governance in Khan Neshin.

“It was encouraging to see that we were able to get that many elders to show up,” said Forbes. “The [governor] was able to put it all together himself. The planning and execution was all on the GIRoA (Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan) side.”

Khan Neshin continues to move forward toward a more independent government and more secure district protected by an increased presence of Afghan National Security Forces.

“Were here to help and advise as best needed to help promote GiRoA and the ANSF,” said Pederson. “We are going to do everything that we can to help them how they want to be helped.”

Editor’s Note: Civil Affairs Team 4 is currently in support of 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion is currently assigned to Regimental Combat Team 5, 1st Marine Division (Forward), which works in partnership with the Afghan National Security Forces and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to conduct counterinsurgency operations. The Unit is dedicated to securing the Afghan people, defeating insurgent forces and enabling ANSF assumption of security responsibilities within its area of operations in order to support the expansion of stability, development and legitimate governance.

• Date Taken: 05.23.2012
• Date Posted: 05.23.2012 09:05
• Story ID: 88865
• Location: KHAN NESHIN DISTRICT, AF