Local Governance in Afghanistan: A View from the Ground

Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit
2011
Samangan Province
Geography: Samangan is bordered by Balkh to the north and west, Sar-i-Pul to the southwest,
Bamiyan to the south and Baghlan to the east. Its six districts are Dara-i-Suf Bala, Dara-i-Suf Poyeen,
Feroz Nakhchir, Hazrat-i-Sultan, Khorram wa Sarbagh and Roye Doab. Aybak is the provincial capital.
Population and ethnic composition: The estimated population of Samangan is 356,300. 157 Of these,
96,800 live in Aybak. There is a significant degree of geographical polarisation. Uzbeks live in the
northeast and centre, Tajiks in the east and Hazaras in the south. The west is more heterogeneous
and includes small populations of Pashtuns and Turkmens. Minorities like the Tatars and the Habash
inhabit southern areas, along the border with Bamiyan. 158
Governance overview: Samangan has had four governors since 2001—an apt reflection of the extent
to which appointments in the province have been influenced by power struggles between national
and local powerholders. The incumbent Khairullah Anush is close to Abdul Rashid Dostum. The most
influential actor over recent years has been Ahmad Khan, an Uzbek commander who has frequently
changed party allegiance. Until 2010 he was a member of the Wolesi Jirga but failed to gain reelection
to the new assembly.
Security: At the start of the research, Samangan was relatively stable with limited Taliban presence
in villages bordering Baghlan. The southern district of Roye Doab had weak policing and was subject
to criminal activity. However, during 2010, lack of attention by government and the military was
seen to result in increasing insurgent activity in Dara-i-Suf Poyeen and Dara-i-Suf Bala. Tension was
understood to originate from the competition for seats in the Wolesi Jirga election. Dissatisfied
elements were turning to the Taliban who were extending their influence by exploiting local
grievances. More than two dozen Taliban fighters laid down arms in Dara-i-Suf Poyeen in February
2011. In April 2011, the PRT signed an agreement with the provincial administration and withdrew
from the province following protests over the Quran-burning incident in the United States.
Political parties: Junbesh-i-Milli is the major party in the province. Other parties present are Jamiati-Islami,
Hizb-i-Wahadat (Khalili and Mohaqiq factions), Harakat-i-Islami, HIA and Afghan Millat.
Education: Facility types and number in Samangan Province:
Facility Type Primary Secondary High Madrassa Higher Ed. Institutions Total
Number 89 108 24 7 2 231
Source: Interviews with Ministry of Education provincial and district line department heads
Health: Facility types and number in Samangan Province:
Facility Name PH DH CHC BHC SC MOB Other Total
Number 1 2 5 14 11 2 0 35
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.
157 Afghanistan CSO Population Data 1389 (2010-11).
158 K. Larsson, “A Provincial Survey of Balkh, Jowzjan, Samangan and Saripul” (Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency, 2008).
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