LAGHMAN - In a UN-backed three-day Peace Jirga, community leaders from three districts of Afghanistan’s east said they are committed to working with opposing groups to find peaceful outcomes to the area’s conflicts.

The focus of the Jirga, which drew more than 100 men and 25 women from Laghman and Nuristan, was to bring peace to the area, specifically along the main road from Laghman to Western Nuristan, and to ensure humanitarian assistance and development activities could continue there.

In Afghanistan’s eastern region, which once hosted the passing armies of Alexander the Great, as well as a booming international tourist trade in the 1960s, clashes between government and opposition forces in Nuristan and Laghman have grown more severe in recent years.

The Laghman-Nuristan Jirga was organized by the regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) with local peace councils and the departments of Women’s Affairs to address the rising tensions and to support efforts toward a peaceful resolution.

Anil Adhikary, a political affairs officer in UNAMA, reassured participants that the UN is keen to see local peace initiatives succeed. “Once safety and stability is ensured through greater trust, movements along the road will be secured and access for public service deliveries as well as UN teams will be guaranteed,” he said.

The Jirga’s participants, including women, spoke about the need for continued UN support in the area, particularly in the areas of health, education and food, and cited the importance of ongoing mine awareness programmes to keep the road clear and safe.

“Luckily, 25 women from both Laghman and Nuristan provinces played an active role in the three-day Jirga,” said Nasima Shafiq Sadat, head of the Laghman’s Department of Women’s Affairs. “Women came up with constructive ideas which were included in the Jirga’s resolutions.”

The Jirga members signed a resolution to cooperate in the interest of peace and stability so that humanitarian assistance, public services and local development programmes can reach key communities.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides 'good offices' among other key services. 'Good offices' are diplomatic steps that the UN takes publicly and in private, drawing on its independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.

UNAMA also promotes coherent development support by the international community; assists 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.