Formal Justice

The Key to Sub-National Governance in South-eastern Afghanistan

Summary

Tribal agreements in South-eastern Afghanistan continue to be an important means to establish binding rules within and between tribal groups and to negotiate governance and security issues between tribes and the Afghan government (and supporting international military forces).

International actors promoting such local security arrangements need to understand existing local institutions, the geographic concepts of tribal jurisdiction (manteqas/wandas) and the level of tribal fragmentation.

Only where tribal institutions are still very much intact, links between formal and informal security institutions can strengthen Afghan government structures. 


  An Exploration of the Arbakai (Tribal Police) in South-Eastern Afghanistan

Restoring rule of law and promoting good governance are necessary first steps for societies emerging from protracted conflict.

Drawing on contextual information obtained during our research and analysis, TLO’s Peacebuilding and Mediation programme aims to strengthen community coping systems by providing support for traditional, non-violent means of conflict resolution. To this end, we are working with communities to establish a set of grass-roots mechanisms that can be used by other stakeholders (e.g., government and non-government development actors) for dialogue, consultation and conflict-resolution purposes. The immediate goal is to link community-based conflict resolution and security mechanisms to those offered by the state in a manner that strengthens both. The long-term goal is to give communities a direct role in, and responsibility for, peace and stability in their areas. Areas of focus include:


Workshops and trainings

  • Workshop on Kuchi Conflict Mitigation, Khost (November 2008)
  • Conflict Mediation Training, Khost Province (2007-2008)
  • Training for religious authorities in Gardez (Paktia) and Pul Alam (Logar) (2005)
  • The Governors’ Workshop: Coordinating development and security between the provincial governments of Loya Paktia (Khost, Paktika, Paktia) (September 2005)

 

Dialogue between government, community, and international actors 

  • Peace Jirga for Stability and Reconciliation, Kabul (February 2007)
  • Workshops on Peace, Stability and Reconciliation in the East and Southeast, Kabul and Nangarhar (September - October 2007)
  • Zurmat Stabilization Initiative: Dialogue between state and community leaders regarding security, reconciliation and development in Zurmat District, Paktia (2006)
  • Security in the Southeast: The Role of Community Participation (August 2005)

 

Support for local governance and community development (LGCD)

  • Initiative to Promote Good Governance: Training Civil Servants in Khost and Paktika
  • Capacity building for the Jaji Maidan Community Development Council
  • Training and Capacity building for Civil Society Actors in Logar, Paktia, Paktika and Khost (2006-2008)
  • Civic Education for Voter Registration: Parliamentary Elections (2005)
  • Civic Education for Voter Registration: Presidential Elections (2004)

 

Development and support for hybrid conflict resolution mechanisms between formal and informal structures:

 

 

Syndicate content