Local Governance in Afghanistan: A View from the Ground

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Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit 2011 Jawzjan Province Geography: Jawzjan is bordered by Balkh to the east, Sar-i-Pul to the south and Faryab to the south and west. Turkmenistan lies to the north. Its ten districts are Aqcha, Darzab, Fayzabad, Khamyab, Khaniqa, Khwaja Du Koh, Mardyan, Mingajik, Qarqin and Qush Tepa. Sheberghan is the provincial capital. Population and ethnic composition: The estimated population of Jawzjan is 494,200. 155 Of these, 155,600 people live in Sheberghan. The two major ethnic groups living in Jawzjan are Uzbeks and Turkmens, with smaller numbers of Tajiks and Pashtuns followed by Arabs. Governance overview: Provincial politics in Jawzjan is dominated by the influence of Junbesh-i-Milli and its leader Abdul Rashid Dostum. The current provincial governor of Jawzjan, Mohammad Aleem Saiee, is a member of Junbesh and a former member of the Wolesi Jirga. Security: The security situation in Jawzjan has deteriorated over the last two years, particularly in the southern districts of Qush Tepa and Darzab. Criminal activity started spilling over into the two districts from neighbouring Sayyad District of Sar-i-Pul in 2009. Uzbek criminal groups formed links with the Taliban and controlled the area through 2010. In recent times, there has been a spate of insurgent activity along the highway linking Sar-i-Pul to Sheberghan. The Uzbek and Turkmen inhabited areas of Jawzjan provided the best example of security organisation. There was extensive use of a qaryadar system, by means of which a member of each village was selected to represent the security interests of the village. The qaryadar would attend weekly meetings chaired by the district governor, with the district police chief. This allowed for a two-way flow of information and was an important factor creating a safe security environment. Qaryadars were permitted to buy guns and patrolled villages. However, the system was not robust enough to withstand the activities of armed Pashtun groups operating from Chahar Bolak in neighbouring Balkh or to deal with an increasing number of incidents taking place in the western districts of Aqcha, Mardyan and Fayzabad. Political Parties: Jumbesh-i-Milli is the strongest party in the province. Other parties with influence are Jamiat-i-Islami and HIA. Education: Facility types and number in Jawzjan Province: Facility Type Primary Secondary High Higher Education Institutions Total Number 102 111 83 2 298 Source: Interviews with Ministry of Education provincial and district line department heads Health: Facility types and number in Jawzjan Province: Facility Name PH DH CHC BHC SC MOB Other Total Number 2 2 7 17 7 1 2 38 Source: Ministry of Public Health Key: PH – Provincial Hospital; DH – District Hospital; CHC – Comprehensive Health Clinic; BHC – Basic Health Clinic; SC – Sub-Centre; MOB – Mobile Clinics. 155 Afghanistan CSO Population Data 1389 (2010-11). Local Governance in Afghanistan: A View from the Ground 79
Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit 2011 Laghman Province Geography: Laghman is bordered by Kabul and Kapisa to the west, Panjsher and Nuristan to the north, Kunar to the east and Nangarhar to the south. Its four districts are Alingar, Alishing, Dawlat Shah and Qarghayi. Mehterlam is the provincial capital. Population and ethnic composition: The estimated population of Laghman is 410,300. 156 Of these, 128,800 live in Mehtarlam. The main ethnicities are Pashtun, Pashai and Tajik. In addition, there are small numbers of Nuristanis and some Kuchi. The Pashai inhabit the side valleys along the Alingar and Alishing rivers. Governance overview: The present provincial governor of Laghman is Mohammad Iqbal Azizi. Previous governors included Gulab Mangal and Lutfullah Mashal. There was a Taliban shadow government in each of the districts. Their consent was required for the appointment of local government officials to take place. Security: There has been a history of internal strife between powerful commanders representing the Taliban, HIA and Jamiat. Security is reasonably good close to Mehtarlam. Laghman had a strong US PRT presence that with the ANA ensured security in and around the provincial centre of Mehterlam and the main roads leading to Alingar and Alishing. However, the side valleys in those two districts were unsafe and under the influence of Taliban and HIA groups. It was difficult for the military to travel by road to the northern district of Dawlat Shah, which was controlled by the Taliban and HIA. The main road from Kabul to Jalalabad that runs through the southern district of Qarghayi was subject to sporadic Taliban attacks. A large number of Talibs were locals and extended families often had members in both the police and the Taliban. During the last five years none of the police in Qarghayi had been harmed. On occasion the Taliban would inform the police chief of an attack to avoid loss of life. Reciprocal arrangements were in place. There were also reports of an Al Qaeda presence with fighters from Pakistan and other countries. The 2009 assassination of Dr Abdullah Laghmani, deputy head of the NDS, was a significant event. His death by a suicide bomber was said to be because of his violent and cruel behaviour toward captured Talibs. Among the 23 people killed in the incident was HIA member and two-time provincial councillor Emaduddeen Abdulrahimzai. Political Parties: The main political parties in the province are HIA and Afghan Millat. Other parties with a presence are Jamiat-i-Islami, mainly in the Tajik and Pashai-inhabited north, and Mahaz-i- Milli. Education: Facility types and number in Laghman Province: Facility Type Primary Secondary High Madrassa Higher Ed. Institutions Total Number 68 95 88 12 2 265 Source: Interviews with Ministry of Education provincial and district line department heads Health: Facility types and number in Laghman Province: Facility Name PH DH CHC BHC SC MOB Other Total Number 1 0 8 17 14 2 1 43 Source: Ministry of Public Health Key: PH – Provincial Hospital; DH – District Hospital; CHC – Comprehensive Health Clinic; BHC – Basic Health Clinic; SC – Sub-Centre; MOB – Mobile Clinics. 156 Afghanistan CSO Population Data 1389 (2010-11). Local Governance in Afghanistan: A View from the Ground 80
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