Friday, 29 July 2011

A Fashionable Spring

So far, 2011 has brought with it a worrying trend among Taliban members: the fashion of assassinations. Six government officials have been killed by Taliban members since January; four of them from Kandahar, Taliban’s former stronghold, including President Karzai’s younger brother, who served as Chief of Kandahar Provincial Council. Generally, many of those assassinated are claimed to be close to Karzai, wrapped up in allegations of corruption and illegitimate exertion of power.

While the assassinations are not necessarily destabilizing enough to cause a government collapse, the effects are extremely disruptive because it takes time to choose replacements. As demonstrated in June with Karzai’s attempt to form his cabinet, appointing governmental officials is a slow and painful process in Afghanistan.

However, beyond the practical consequences of the assassinations come the analytical interpretations: what does this say about security in the respective provinces? Does this show a strengthened or weakened Taliban? How can the Afghan government protect the people if they cannot even protect themselves?

On the one hand, NATO leaders and diplomats have said the recent spate of assassinations is a sign of the Taliban’s weakness and desperation in the nearly decade-old Afghanistan war. On the other hand, a spokesperson for the Afghan National Army has commented: “The message is clear. They want to show their power. These attacks are a psychological victory for the Taliban”.

Ironically, though to a grotesque extent, are the allegations of US use of military contractors, or ‘mercenaries’, in Afghanistan; press reports say that Blackwater is still at the centre of secret programs, despite CIA’s recent announcement that they have stopped using them. Taking out significant al-Qaeda and Taliban groups is their aim.

Whether the Taliban’s fashionable technique of assassinating is just a copy-paste of mercenary methods adopted in weak and desperate times, or actually an extension of their general approach implying strength and confidence is for no one but the Taliban to tell. However, with a troop withdrawal around the corner leaving a fragile national security system it is definitely an alarming trend.

Wednesday, 27 July 2011

Another Afghan Official Murdered

The mayor of Kandahar, Ghulam Haidar Hameedi, has been killed in a suicide attack.

The perpetrator detonated explosives hidden in his turban as the mayor made an address to tribal officials, discussing a land dispute. This is not the first time an attack has been made by hiding a bomb in a turban but tradition dictates that turbans must not be removed.

The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack, which coincides with the start of the security handover from NATO to local troops. They claim that the attack was in response to the deaths of two children which had occurred after Hameedi ordered the demolition of 200 illegally constructed houses.

Hameedi was a popular mayor by all accounts, who stood up to the militia and encouraged the building of roads and public buildings. The BBC report refers to him as ‘competent and trusted’.

The US Ambassador offered his condolences and sincere regret at the loss of yet another top Afghan official. Karzai’s senior aide was assassinated a week ago and it has been just two weeks since President Karzai’s brother was killed in the very same city.

Kandahar was the countries designated capital during Taliban rule until 2006 so it is unsurprising that much of their efforts have been centred here.

Follow the story...

http://www.pajhwok.com/en/2011/07/27/mayor-death-wont-affect-ongoing-projects-wesa

Monday, 25 July 2011

Taliban to make peace?

On July 14th, two members of the Afghan parliament held a press conference, announcing that that they had met with Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar over a year ago.

During this meeting he agreed on an outline for peace negotiations with the Kabul government.

There were further claims that this had been approved by President Karzai himself. Omar was said to have signed an agreement that he himself revised but this was rejected by the president.

The president’s office say that they have doubts that the signature on the document is truly Mr Omar’s.

http://www.rferl.org/content/gandhara_afghan_legislators_claim_to_have_met_with_taliban_chief/24266866.htm

Tuesday, 12 July 2011

Luck runs out for President Karzai’s half brother


Ahmad Wali Karzai, the head of the Kandahar provincial council and the half brother of President Karzai, has been assassinated.

He was shot twice by the head of security, Sardar Mohammed (who was shot dead on the spot).

Ahmad Wali Karzai was considered a highly corrupt warlord who was involved in the drug trade.

There is an old Afghan saying “whoever rules Kandahar rules Afghanistan”. Given the dire state of internal affairs in Afghanistan at the moment, the assassination of such a corrupt official might invite the possibility of a more moderate one to rule such an important province in Afghanistan.