UN
TV debates highlight central place of religious leaders in Afghan peace efforts
KUNDUZ - The key role of religious leaders in advancing Afghanistan’s efforts toward peace was highlighted at two UN-backed TV debates in the country’s restive north-east.
Separate panel debates in Baghlan and Takhar provinces were broadcast to an estimated audience of more than 400,000 people in the north-east. Panellists were drawn from provincial peace committees and civil society, and also included religious scholars and government officials.
In Afghanistan, elders and religious leaders play a key role in decisions about issues at the community level. Baghlan and Takhar provinces are largely rural, with agriculture the key source of income for the majority of the population.
The panellists discussed the importance of local government working with religious leaders to enhance peace efforts at the provincial level.
Other peace efforts, meanwhile, have been taking place, as highlighted by Serajuddin Seerat, the Secretary of Baghlan’s Provincial Peace Committee, in the Baghlan debate. Mr. Seerat noted that in the four years since the Baghlan was established, more than 1,200 armed anti-government elements and other illegally armed individuals had turned toward the peace.
Committee-related development projects have seen more than 300 orchards established in Baghlan for former insurgents and their families, while employment opportunities had been provided to hundreds of former combatants, said Mr. Seerat.
Since the beginning of 2016 alone, UNAMA has supported a number of peace-related events in the north-eastern provinces of Kunduz, Takhar, Baghlan and Badakhshan, including televised debates and roundtable discussions.
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.
