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Afghan border police and coalition forces hosted Shinwari tribal elders of Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, at a meeting, Jan. 21.
The jirga, a meeting of elders held to make a specific decision, was conducted to unite the Shinwari sub-tribes and gain their support in the fight against insurgents, corruption and illegal actions that threaten the Afghan people and their government.
More than 170 Maliks, a title of respect for tribal elders, from six districts in Nangarhar province put aside tribal differences to form the alliance and bring stability to Afghanistan's eastern border region.
The jirga was organized by the ABP's 6th Kandak headquarters and gave the tribes confidence that their concerns would be heard.
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Randall V. Simmons, the commander of the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment, Task Force Rough Rider, applauded the leaders for their bravery in continuing to fight oppression and dispelled rumors that International Security Assistance Forces would leave Afghanistan before sustainable security and a stable economy could be achieved.
"America has donated its most prized possession, its sons and daughters, to this mission and we will not leave until our mission is complete," Simmons said.
During previous key leader engagements in Task Force Rough Rider's area of operation the Maliks voiced common community concerns: security, education, health care and the need for reliable governance.
Malik Niyaz, an influential tribal elder from the Mohmand valley, opened the jirga's discussion and spoke passionately to their common purpose as representatives for the people of their villages.
"Is it only me who dares to speak out? I do not have the power to remove a corrupt governor but I can expose him and so must you," Niyaz said. "I appeal to you today because we must stand together to purge our community of corruption and the thumb of tyranny."
During the open discussions the chieftains signed the anti-Taliban Shinwari Pact committing to unification and pledging to resist militants.
The Shinwari Pact allowed the sub-tribes to publically announce their cooperation with their Afghan national security force brothers to bring peace to Afghanistan.
ABP Zone One commander, Brig. Gen. Zaman Mamozai, said the elders' willingness to commit to their own defense is a source of personal pride for him as a Muslim and an Afghan.
In his speech Zaman invited the Maliks to further reinforce their security by empowering their people economically. He announced the formation of the ABP's 8th Kandak to be headquartered in the Achin district. The new headquarters will bring jobs and service opportunities to the people of the region.
The Kandak, actively seeking to recruit from the local community, will bring 500 jobs to the region. Zaman said he and the Ministry of Interior will also increase each ABP Soldier's pay by roughly 15 percent.
"This is an opportunity for the people of Shinwar to step forward and give new life to the new battalion and keep jobs in the community," he said.
Zaman, a former Mujahedin fighter, reflected on the collapse of governance during the Soviet occupation and subsequent attacks by the Taliban on what he referred to as "Afghanistan's innocents" in the 1990s. Taking ownership of their own security now did not mean taking a handout, but a helping hand from partners in the fight.
"Take advantage of coalition force resources to rebuild what we have lost," Zaman encouraged. "The United States was not considered an infidel country when it assisted Pakistan in the development of nuclear power, so it should not be considered such as they look to help our beloved Afghanistan."
As one of Nangarhar province's three most influential tribes, the signing of the Shinwari Pact will set precedence for future defense and economic growth planning and implementation for Afghanistan. Yet the outcome must be worth more than the paper it is printed on.
Simmons reiterated the need for action-based solidarity with tough, encouraging talk.
"[Your signature] indicates that your tribe is united and will resist the Taliban or other insurgents at all costs," Simmons said. "I applaud you for taking responsibility for your own security and I stand ready to fight to the end for peace and victory alongside you and our [Afghan national security force] brothers in arms."
| Date Taken: | 01.21.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2010 05:59 |
| Story ID: | 44777 |
| Location: | NANGARHAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 243 |
| Downloads: | 120 |
This work, Afghan Border Police meet with Shinwari elders to protect border, by SSG Tracy Smith, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
