Embedded journalism from the front lines of
Afghanistan & Iraq ~ by Mike & Carlos Boettcher

In a region where isolation is the rule, meetings of any sort take on a special gravity. Such is the case with Shura councils, meetings of representatives from various villages that occur far less frequently than truly needed.

One of the greatest challenges facing Afghanistan is the lack of presence the elected government has in areas remote as the eastern mountainous regions bordering Pakistan. Major cities such as Kabul and Kandahar have the natural infrastructure to facilitate a significant government presence, but in the remote reaches of the the country it is another story entirely.

Government is a far more casual affair in the small mountain villages of Konar Province, a region that has seen more than its share of the fighting in recent days. The area is primarily rural; farmers raise wheat and goats on small farms that line the river valleys in the area, eking a living in the harsh mountainous terrain. It is these citizens that present such a formidable challenge for the Afghani Government.

Travel and communication are difficult at the best of times. The main road in the area has yet to be paved and rockslides and bandits are a constant obstacle for travelers. The precious few newspapers and radio stations that exist are by and large backed by US forces, but they face challenges in language and penetration that make their effectiveness questionable. Literacy is still limited, despite the opening of several schools in the area, and the variety of languages and dialects spoken from valley to valley can render even the most potent radio broadcasts useless.

Communication occurs by word of mouth here, and Shura councils ensure that the Afghani government is able to make its policies known. By sending representatives, the villages ensure that they have a voice in local matters and face time with the elected provincial governor, making the democratic process an intensely personal matter in the process.

Arguments flare up frequently, representatives arguing with elected officials in a manner that is difficult to imagine occurring in the states. Voices are raised, fists are shaken, and men stand to get a better view of the proceedings, government turned spectacle. But such a display of emotion can be necessary: frustrations run high with the Afghani and US forces, and verbal venting is a valuable barometer of local sentiment.

While US forces provide security for the Shura, the object is to minimize the US presence and give Afghanis the lead. US commanders will greet each elder in turn, but when it comes time for speaking, they say only what is needed.

It is hoped that in time the local population will hold these Shuras safely and effectively on their own. Shuras have a long history in the region: they were held before NATO forces arrived in Afghanistan, and will be held long after they have left. What remains to be seen is if the national government can use Shuras as an effective means of governance, or whether local interests will forever take precedence over national concerns. For now though, the experiment continues, one day, and one Shura, at a time.