Afghan leaders, ISAF forces host road security jirga in Manogai

KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Members of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-Afghanistan Engineer District North, Task Force Lethal Warrior, soldiers of Afghanistan National Army, along with provincial and district leaders and tribal elders from Kunar and Nuristan provinces, conducted a road security jirga in Manogai district, Feb. 6.

The jirga was an opportunity for all concerned parties to address ongoing security issues and seek solutions affecting road projects spanning Kunar and Nuristan provinces.

In his remarks to more than 80 elders, Haji Mohamad Rahman, Manogai district sub-governor, said security problems in the area have delayed construction on the road projects and that the elders needed to be involved in fixing the problem.

“The projects are not going ahead because of security and technical problems. We want your participation in providing security for the roads. We have to work together because security is a prerequisite for development to come,” Rahman said. “Development and security are co-dependent. It is a request to you elder members to help me, and to help yourselves. It is good for the future of your children and for our country to have these roads.”

Rahman said that with the elders’ cooperation the projects could go forward, but they needed to put an end to the problems caused by Afghanistan’s enemies. He said now was the time to make a new and better Afghanistan.

“It’s a golden opportunity for us. In the past, we didn’t have roads. We used donkeys to go back and forth between places, but that was in the past,” the sub-governor said. “It would take hours to get from here to Asadabad, but now it takes 30 to 35 minutes. In the past patients couldn’t get help, but now they can be taken to the hospital quickly because we have a road. Also, we didn’t have mobile phones in the past, but we do now because it’s development. It’s a sign things are getting better as time goes by.”

Rahman said if Afghans in Kunar and Nuristan want roads it was everyone in the room’s responsibility to help with security.

“It is up to us if we want roads. We can take steps if we have the elders’ support,” Rahman said. “We have to protect Nuristan and Kunar provinces. Every elder member here is responsible for his area.”

Afghan Army Lt. Col. Ismatullah, ANA 2nd Kandak commander, told the group that people using jihad against Afghan and coalition forces were the enemies of everyone.

“Jihad is being used in a bad way. They are not using jihad in other countries. Is it just supposed to be in Afghanistan? No. Is jihad legal to be used against my government, my ANA, or my sons? No, it is not,” Ismatullah said. “I see Americans here to help us. We need NATO forces because we need reconstruction, rehabilitation and development. We need these foreign forces to help us. Forty years of war is too long. They have not come here to invade us. Let us help them as they help us. If we work together we will have a rebuilt country.”

Ismatullah reminded the group that eventually coalition forces will withdraw and that they must unite now to build a stronger, better Afghanistan.

“Foreign forces will leave when we have a built country. Foreign security forces will pull out when we can take care of our own security. They did that in Iraq and they will do that here,” the Afghan commander said. “This is a golden chance, let us use it. Foreign forces are here to build roads, clinics and mosques. If we don’t have unity and don’t think about security, stability and reconstruction in our country, nothing will take place.”

Ismatullah then challenged the group to help the ANA in its mission to protect the people and the construction projects in the country.

“I am your son and I need your support. You should be proud of your sons working in the ANA and (Afghan National Police). I promise you that I will do my best to protect your families from the enemies. We are bound to help you maintain security, and I assure you the ANA is here to protect you and your families. But, it is a joint task and we need your help. Let us be the saviors of this country.”

U.S. Army Maj. William Lewis, Afghan Engineering District officer-in-charge, stressed USACE was prepared to get the 51 kilometers of road valued at a little more than $23 million done, but only if security on the sites was good enough for the contractors to go to work.

“I hope you come together and find a solution for the security issues,” Lewis said. “We are ready to build quality roads in Kunar and Nuristan provinces, but we need your help.”

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brian Pearl, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment and Task Force Lethal Warrior commander, said the roads affect every person in every district of Kunar and Nuristan. But, he said they will only be built with the help and support of the leaders and elders in the room.

“A better road affects everybody in the districts every day.  Everyone understands the importance of the roads, I just ask that everyone understand the security as well,” Pearl said. “This road is not for me. I’m here to help you with the road, but like everyone has said we need your help. We will not come in unless you want us to come in. If you do not want the road, we will put it somewhere else.”

Pearl said security starts with the villages and is collaborative effort between the elected government, village elders, Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition Forces.

“You need to make a decision if you want the roads. Then you have to stop allowing holes and (improvised explosive devices) to be placed,” he said. “If you see it, you need to let the ANA and ANP and the governor know so we can get out there and take care of it.”

The gathered leaders pledged to support ANSF and Coalition Forces to improve security so workers could get back to building the desperately needed infrastructure. They also challenged the contractors in the room to be accountable for the money by not bribing insurgents or corrupt officials and instead use the money to build quality roads.