Regional Command West
Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force- Afghanistan

FARAH, Afghanistan (September 13, 2011)– Village elders and local villagers were able to close the gap between local governance and the Government of Afghanistan during a shura held at the Bakwa district center, Farah Province, Sept. 8.

The meeting was the first district-level shura in Bakwa since March 1, with newly-appointed district governor, Iamil Khan, and more than 300 local villagers in attendance.

The shura was conducted as a means for villagers of the Bakwa district to build a relationship between the villagers and GoA, and give villagers a voice in their local governance.

The majority of the villagers who attended said they heard about the shura over the radio, which is a main source of information for the public. The villagers and elders said they came to support their new district governor and address village concerns about district-level governance.

Roohul Amin, the Farah provincial governor, opened the shura with an address to the villagers and elders to demonstrate the provincial government’s intent to support of local needs.

Villagers discussed security issues, requesting the development of an Afghan Local Police program, which would provide work for locals and good conditions for future agricultural, commercial and social development. After the shura, Iamil Khan provided food for all in attendance.