Doubts over new Afghan security strategy

Jobless rural youth are the focus of a new Afghan security plan designed to help defeat Taliban insurgents mostly in the south, east and southeast of the country. The government, which already has about 200,000 national police (ANP) and army personnel at its disposal, says it also needs local combatants to help fight Taliban insurgency. In a donor-funded project, which has already started in some provinces, about 10,000 men will be paid to fight Taliban insurgents in their villages, officials said. However, many Afghans are worried the project will merely strengthen local warlords and militias accused of perpetuating human rights violations. Ex-Taliban fighters who join the government's reintegration process can also join the new force, officials said. "These forces will have carte blanche to kill. They can kill and harm anyone on mere charges of insurgency," said Mir Ahmad Joyenda, a member of parliament from Kabul. With corruption, illiteracy and abuse of authority allegedly widespread in the police, holding the new force to account will be extremely difficult in practice, experts said. Amir Mohammad, a tribal elder in Kandahar, warned: "People are not stupid to take up arms and fight the Taliban for this government. They will use the opportunity to gain wealth, power and do whatever they want."