Peace Jirga held to resolve security problems in Tagab

Published Oct. 29, 2008
By Peace Jirga held to resolve security problems in Tagab
Task Force Warrior Public Affairs Office

BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan -- Governor Khuweja Abubaker hosted a Peace Jirga for the people of Kapisa Province on Oct. 26 at the Tagab District Center.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, provincial government officials, and elements of Task Force Warrior planned and organized the event to try to find a political solution to the security problems plaguing the area.

Last month a smaller shura, the Afghan word for an assembly of elders to meet regularly concerning issues in the area, addressed many of the same concerns. This Peace Jirga aimed to focus more on resolutions.

"We have diagnosed the problems many times, we now need to find the prescription and cure the disease," said Haji Khoshal of southeastern Tagab as he addressed 250 elders from Kapisa province.

Beverli DeWalt, U.S. Department of State representative for the Kapisa and Parwan Provincial Reconstruction Team, attended the Peace Jirga along with several other PRT members.

"The goals of the provincial council include unity, security, reconstruction, and eradicating rivalry and blood feuds," DeWalt said.

Some elders at the Peace Jirga were critical of the parliament. Other elders focused on the personal responsibility of the people to come to a solution themselves, DeWalt said.

Khoshal used the analogy of building a house to delineate responsibilities between the government, international community, and the people of Tagab. People could not expect the government or international community to build each person a house; this is their own responsibility. Similarly, he said, finding a solution for peace in Tagab is the responsibility of the people of Tagab.

Some elders said that if the people found a solution for their problems, then the government and international community would support them.

Abubaker repeatedly expressed his expectation that the people would take the lead in finding solutions to their problems, and his commitment to helping the people of Tagab.

"We need one tribe, one shura, one district," said an elder, summing up the spirit of the Peace Jirga.

The audience supported the idea to create another shura. The Afghan Social Outreach Program shura, due to be created in the near future, may fulfill this need.