NILI - Daikundi’s political leadership established plans this week at a UN-backed event to address the province’s community conflicts and security challenges.

Dozens of participants, including representatives from the province’s political parties, the provincial council and the peace council, along with members of the media, attended the event in Nili, the provincial capital of the central province.

Daikundi -- originally a district of Uruzgan province -- was established 10 years ago. It is a largely rural province that lacks infrastructure, with most of its population consisting of ethnic Hazara.

The forum, supported by the regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), provided an opportunity for Daikundi’s leaders to examine the challenges facing them as they work to resolve community conflicts and identify practical ways to promote peaceful coexistence among the province’s communities.

“Afghanistan has suffered decades of conflict,” said Mohammad Hussain Danish, head of the province’s high peace council. “Fighting has caused enough destruction, and we will keep suffering if we don’t learn how to overcome our disagreements peacefully.”

Mr. Danish stressed the importance of political leaders taking a more proactive role in addressing community tensions. “We have gathered today as the leaders of our society to acknowledge our responsibilities toward the progress of this province, and we know that without peace and security nothing will progress in Daikundi,” he said.

Invited to the event to offer insight into politics and peace at the community level, Yahya Erfan, a university professor, identified the most important role political leaders can play as sharing information and advocating for peaceful coexistence.

“Raising awareness among local communities through civic education for peaceful coexistence should be a priority for political parties in Afghanistan,” he said.

Ghairat Jawahiri, a provincial council member, highlighted the need to establish a coordination group for political parties in Daikundi. “Most of the time, personal interests cause political disputes that on some occasions lead to political instability in Daikundi,” he said.

Participants at the event concluded the meeting by establishing a forum where Daikundi’s political parties can regularly meet and discuss issues of mutual interest and overcome political disputes peacefully.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides good offices; promotes coherent development support by the international community; supports the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.