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Removal & Transfer of Officials
within Police Sector |
By A. Khan
afghanarticle@hotmail.com |
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Feb
03, 2007
Historically,
Afghanistan has been at the crossroads of incidents when it comes to the
removal or transfer of senior positions’ holders. One of the main
bottlenecks, among other things, in Afghanistan has been the lack of the
straightforwardness in making decisions on removal and transfer of
certain warlords, who have been holding key positions, and whose
purported power sway in their respective areas have compelled them
[decision makers] to be cautious when dealing with them. |
 Among
the obstacles facing the $1.1 billion (euro830 million) training
program: illiterate police recruits, a history of low pay and pervasive
corruption, and inadequate accountability for equipment after it is
turned over to the Afghans, the report said. |
Pro anti-government
elements that are advisors to the international community have further
made them [international community] confused with the daunting
consequences if these warlords were to be touched, which, in fact is not
the case.
Sweeping reforms are the need of the day in government institutions,
including in the offices of the Administrative Affairs and President
Office itself, and the flock of advisors setting around the president.
The key
conclusions of report on police training reported in New York Times in
December 2006 indicates that the Afghan National Police are not yet
capable of carrying out ‘normal police duties’.
The report, published jointly by the inspector generals of the State and
Defense departments, calls the U.S.-funded program to train and equip
the Afghan police "generally well conceived and well executed," but
concludes that the police force's readiness to carry out law enforcement
duties is "far from adequate." |
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Among the
obstacles facing the $1.1 billion (euro830 million) training program:
illiterate police recruits, a history of low pay and pervasive
corruption, and inadequate accountability for equipment after it is
turned over to the Afghans, the report said.
Against the
backdrop of this report, there are several fundamental issues that were not
tackled at the beginning of the new era for Afghanistan after having toppled
Taliban in late 2001. |
 MOI in 2001-2003 was turned into another stronghold of Northern
Alliance in capital Kabul, with Ahmad Shah Masoud portrays hanging on the
prominent positions of the Ministry everywhere – a distinct characteristic of
Masoud supporters when they differentiate and show sign of a separate elite
class among public.  |
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Police reforms and training kicked in at a time when the
government machinery was at the hands of certain elements that were in one way
or another, affiliated to their long-time benefactors.
Heavy reliance on those
in order to entertain their compliance was a strategic mistake in terms of
designing long-term development plans in their presence. The resources and
training provided to the police force was somewhat useful. |
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However, the
leadership of the MOI in late 2001 and thereafter for a considerable period of
time gave impetus to the retention of handpicked and one-party men ranging from
seniors to handymen positions, who did not want in real terms to make the
program successful – apparently for their ego for holding on to power as long as
they could. MOI in 2001-2003 was turned into another stronghold of Northern
Alliance in capital Kabul, with Ahmad Shah Masoud portrays hanging on the
prominent positions of the Ministry everywhere – a distinct characteristic of
Masoud supporters when they differentiate and show sign of a separate elite
class among public. |
|
The rule of a specific class coupled with the missing of
national ownership by wider community - an essential component in state building
- it was extremely difficult to conduct reforms and training. The damage done to
this important security-providing ministry during the past and at
present, will take a long time before it is turned into a reliable,
prudent and nationally owned institution. |
Some of
the initiatives that were kicked in by certain dedicated and committed
senior figures faced serious backlashes from certain elements, including
president office. Although, it was also difficult for those committed
individuals to continue to work in an environtment already penetrated
and polluted by certain elements whose purported power sway and selfish
objectives for prolonging their stay and channeling resources to their
personal wish lists, stopped them from advancing reform and training in
the ministry up to the agreed standard.
Now to put the ministry on the right track and to build public
confidence on this fundamental institution, it is imperative on both the
government and the international community to revisit the ministry and
bring about qualitative and quantitative changes. Transfer and
reappointment within MOI won’t make a big difference other than adding
to chaos. |
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In the past,
removal and transfer of senior position holders, particularly warlords, have
accompanied some sort of law and order situations. There are ample examples when
it comes to the removal or transfer of certain warlords now serving in
government. For example, when DDR/ANBP reached northern provinces, and Ata
Mohammad, the then corps commander, came to know that he was losing power,
started to
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Now
that the dreams of Afghans are being met in some critical areas, such as
opening of financial institutions, construction of highways,
rehabilitation of schools and universities, blossoming of private
sectors etc, international community must not let all these remarkable
achievement get reversed |
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create security problems for the people, and even went on to pick on
with the chief of police, who was later blown up by a suicide bomber in Kandahar
during a prayer service in one of the mosques. In Jalalabad, when the chief of
police came to know that he was being either transferred or removed, a barrage
of missiles started to pour into the city. While contacted to comments on
attacks, the outgoing COP of Jalalabad attributed attacks mainly due to his
removal from the area, apparently drawing the attention of the central
government to his importance attached to the security of the area. |
The latest removal and transfer within Ministry of Interior was also not
immune from the culture of nasty engagements. Two robberies occurred
in broad daylight; one near Zambak square in a highly security zone
wherein several ministries, western embassies, American forces
guesthouses, UN offices have been housed. Apart from this, the area
is located within a few hundred yards of the president office.
Robbers made their escape good with snatching away (millions of dollars
as per rumors). The robbers in two Lexus LC vehicles intercepted the
standard-chartered bank armored vehicle on 11 January 2007 and snatched
away the money. The guards looking after the money were disarmed in a
matter of seconds by the robbers. The second robbery incident happened
in 4th Nahia. The robbers tried to steal money from moneychangers. Upon
resistance by moneychangers, one moneychanger got hurt. The robbers
escaped and left behind a car, inside the car was an official entry card
given to the high-ranking officials to enter government offices without
any hassle.
The
two latest incidents of robberies remind once again the sleeping
government and the international community of their commitment towards a
peaceful environment. The opening of standard-chartered bank in
Afghanistan is close to a miracle as most of the Afghans, while leaving
in Pakistan, had longed for such a banking facilities on their on soil.
Now that the dreams of Afghans are being met in some critical areas,
such as opening of financial institutions, construction of highways,
rehabilitation of schools and universities, blossoming of private
sectors etc, international community must not let all these remarkable
achievement get reversed. |
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Comment on this Article
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|
Name: Zabihullah Enayet |
Email: zabi_enayet@yahoo.com |
| Country: Afghanistan |
Date: 2/21/2007 6:59:48 AM |
| Comments: Dear Khan, I repeatedly read the whole article, you have disclosed the facts on the ground, I would suggest for those who needs to analyze and would like to contribute to the good well of Afghanistan ministries reforms, should take the example of the concretive article of Mr. Khan and do not listen to those, (Nick Tie gang) who widely misused the rights of the afghan people and misused all those donations in kind and in cash, for their own selfish interests. I would pray Mr. Khan to unveil more negative facts on the Afghanistan Government ministries, it may pave a road to the good wishes of our nation.
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|
Name: Kamal |
Email: ehsan.kamal@hotmail.com |
| Country: Afghanistan |
Date: 2/18/2007 12:39:21 AM |
| Comments:
A Khana; I read your nice article, you have analyzed the police situation in an incredible way, where many writers don't do it due to their affiliation with other fractions. |
|
Name: Samiullah |
Email: samiullah_maroof@hotmail.com |
| Country: Afghanistan |
Date: 2/15/2007 4:53:40 AM |
| Comments: I have read the article related to reform of police. It was very nice and explained very well. I wish more success to the writer and hope to unveil more hidden realities hidden behind/in white dress,
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