The spontaneous public protests witnessed in the past few weeks were discussed in Afghanistan’s parliament and national assembly. Political experts agree protestors have challenged Taleban diktat
The spontaneous public protests witnessed in the past few weeks were discussed in Afghanistan’s parliament and national assembly. Political experts agree protestors have challenged Taleban diktat – for instance the closure of schools in Waigal district, Nuristan. However, there is concern that if the government or other groups have engineered the demonstrations then a heavy price could be extracted.Nearly two months ago, for the first time, locals in Nuristan, Paktia, Ghor, Faryab and Laghman rose up against the Taleban to demand the reopening of schools, clinics and markets.
The events could have dangerous consequences, warn political observers and members of Parliament who are urging the Hamid Karzai government to exercise caution.
Abdul Rashid Aryan, a political analyst who has followed the protests, believes that as long as the motive behind the protests is public good the fallout will be “beneficial”. “This type of movement, which leads to reopening of schools and clinics and ensures security, is beneficial for everyone and the government should support it,” he urges.
Aryan warns of dangerous outcomes if the uprisings are a result of local rivalries and power struggles between groups divided by tribal loyalties and ethnic divisions. “Three decades of conflict in Afghanistan are witness to this,” he says sombrely.
Voicing disillusionment
To most people the wave of anger that has swept areas even under so-called Taleban control is also directed against government inaction. There is speculation that Afghanistan may be witnessing the emergence of a third force.
Akram Arifi, a political analyst, says that when local people turn against the Taleban or government forces they can be viewed as a “third challenge”. “In this case a third power comes into existence,” he explains.
Retired Afghan army General Abdul Wahed Taqat shares Arifi’s view. In his opinion both the government and international forces in Afghanistan fear the emergence of an independent local leadership. “That is why they don’t support them (local people),” he asserts.
According to General Taqat, people are defending themselves against the Taleban because foreign forces in Afghanistan have failed the task of providing security.
Nesar Ahmad Hares, a member of the National Assembly, is hopeful the protestors will bring peace. He believes “the organisers of the protests will not form a third force. They are on the same side as the Afghan government.”
Meanwhile, there is concern in Parliament that the government has no strategy on dealing with the rash of popular protests. A hapless government has said local leaders have not told them why they have risen in protest or what they want.
Voices on Facebook
Many Afghans have chosen to comment on the protests on Facebook, which is both popular here and with the diaspora.
Abdul Hadi Sadiq writes: “I count the uprisings good actions for the safety of (people’s) lives, dignity and goods… The nation has got to know that the government cannot accomplish its responsibility in assuring security properly. … Taleban are closing schools and health centres in an extremist manner …”
Sadiq says he is concerned the movement would die without government support. “If the Afghan government and international community really want to prevent the influence of (opposition) groups and support the uprisings this (popular protests) will be effective. Otherwise they will be singled out and (fall) quiet.”
Abdul Wajid Massoud writes, “The request of the revolters is that their children should be left to go to schools. Anyone who stands up against them would get a tooth-breaking answer.”
However, Zai Sahibzada holds a different view. “I think this is a game that the US implemented in Iraq. When the US was faced with challenges in Iraq it provoked differences between religions, tribes and people to implement the formula of the British Empire to divide and govern. Afghans should know that these type of movements are a scheme against them.”
For Asadullah Hewadmal the protestors are finally voicing people’s disillusionment. “It is good when the nation knows that schools and clinics are beneficial for them” he writes, “If they had the same feeling before they would not have to face the problem now.”
Noor Ahmad Pason who is from Khost thinks the protests will unite people. “The uprisings against Taleban … and the enemies of nation and government will be very beneficial because people are gathered together united.”
Aman Shekasta is worried that even as security improves in the rural areas because of the protests, “some other people, other groups will benefit from the uprising.”
On July 17, locals in Dawlat Shah and Ali Sheng districts, Laghman, announced they have cleared some villages of Taleban fighters. Neither the Taleban nor the government has reacted to the news. On July 8, people rose up against the Taleban who wanted to attack the district office in Merzaka, Paktia. Deputy governor Abdul Rahman told Killid there had been similar protests in other areas.
Taleban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed has told media groups the protests were the handiwork of local police (arbakis) and not the people.
