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Progress and Pitfalls of “Peace-Building”
in Afghanistan continues .......
Insurgents continue targetting individuals, vocal about human rights and can be effective in spreading the message of peace and development.
One of Afghanistan’s largest public opinion surveys from 2007, conducted by the Asia Foundation, indicates that several provinces particularly those located in South-Central or South-West remain largely insecure. Despite considerable regional variations, there is no doubt that
the overall security situation in Afghanistan has deteriorates significantly:
The UN estimates that the frequency of attacks, bombings, and other
23 violent incidents in 2007 was up by 20–30 per cent on 2006. The Asia
Foundation Survey, finds one-third of respondents saying that security
situation was quite bad or very bad in their area.
At least as many respondents said they have some fear in participating in the resolution of community disputes, voting in an election, joining a peaceful demonstration, or holding a public office. Forty-nine per cent of the respondents feel that they sometimes, or often, fear for their own or their amily’s safety – up nine percent on 2006.
There are several indicators to declining personal security, the first indicator being the specific location as feelings of insecurity which is more in the southern and eastern provinces (the provinces which are Pashtundominated) compared to north and northeast provinces (which have a
Tajik or Uzbek dominance). The reason logically is that most severe fightings have been in the Pashtun belt. Over a few months, in 2006, the insurgency spread westwards as Farah and Nimroz. Most security experts confirm that insurgent attacks are planned and prepared over the Pakistan border. A second indicator is unemployment.
In Farah, high insecurity coincides with high unemployment. The third indicator is the presence of substitute authority in peripheral provinces and in pockets of society that recognize such groups or individuals as legitimate rulers. The Taleban have won sympathy in certain districts, enough to actually have some local residents join their ranks.
Warlords who have become stronger since they were co-opted into the government have also exercised their influence to gain more personal resources beyond the government mandate.
To be continued....