LAGHMAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Sixteen insurgents recently joined the Afghanistan Peace and Reintegration Program (APRP), a program which has proven to reduce violence and strengthen Afghan communities and families in Laghman province.
The APRP is an Afghan government program, supported by the international community, designed to assist insurgents in their transition to become law-abiding citizens of Afghanistan. An insurgent must renounce violence before the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reunites the former enemy with his family, facilitates the transition from enemy to citizen, and provides aide.
“The reintegration process is very successful in Laghman province,” said Muhammad Qasim Ebadi, Laghman Province National Directorate of Security Chief. “About 370 insurgents from 15 different groups have come to the government and joined this process so far.”
Chief Ebadi also explained how the program benefits the community.
“When the local population supports this program by accepting the former insurgents into their communities, it allows us to provide them with services like reconstruction projects for the area,” said Ebadi.
Only Afghans can negotiate with Afghans. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization and International Security Assistance Forces may facilitate negotiations in conjunction with Afghan partners, but that is not their primary role. Since the APRP is an Afghan program, only Afghans have the final decision regarding who is formally enrolled into the program.
“There are some examples of former insurgents who joined the peace process a couple of years ago,” said Ebadi. “Now they are trusted members of the Afghan Local Police who are protecting their people.”
The program is currently active in all Afghanistan provinces.
Ebadi continued, “War can’t resolve all of these current problems. It’s just destroying our homeland. Insurgents should come and join the peace process and support our government to resolve this.”