The National Consultative Peace Jirga, which is to take place in Kabul in late May, is designed to establish a framework for negotiation with the armed opposition. But while many voice optimism that the Jirga will accomplish its goals and move the country a step closer to a negotiated settlement, others are skeptical, saying the Jirga is merely a waste of time.

The first point of contention has been the timing of the event. Originally scheduled to begin May 2, it was postponed once Afghan President Hamid Karzai finalized the dates for his visit to Washington.

Government officials sought to play down the link between the delayed Jirga and Karzai’s U.S. trip.

“The Jirga was delayed for three weeks after the president consulted with the executive, judicial and legislative branches of government on 1 Sawr (April 21)” said Ghulam Farooq Wardak, Education Minister and head of the Jirga’s organizational commission.

“There were four main reasons for the change: President Karzai’s trip to the United States; the registration process for the candidates of the parliamentary elections; security challenges; and economic problems.”

Registration for those wishing to run for the lower house of parliament, in September’s elections kicked off on April 20. The deadline for registration is May 5.

Another area of confusion centers around how delegated to the Jirga are to be selected.

“Provincial government officials – governors and district governors – will have the authority to invite tribal elders and ask them to elect one popular and well-educated person to participate in the Jirga,” said Member of Parliament Moein Marastyal. “The person elected should belong to the tribe which makes up the bulk of the population in the area. He should not be appointed.”

But Shukria Barakzi, another MP who is serving on one of several organizational committees for the Jirga, disagrees.

“There are two mechanisms for selecting delegates,” she said. “Some will be elected and some will be appointed. Those from civil society, parliament, provincial councils, youth associations and other bodies will be elected but the people from the districts will be appointed.”

Barakzai told www.afghanistanvotes.com that the procedure had been changed recently by some parliamentarians and government officials who were trying to get their own candidates into the Jirga.

“They have made lists of their personal choices to participate in the Jirga,” she said. “If such people attend the Jirga it will just be a show. None of the goals will be achieved.”

Gul Agha Ahmadi Wardak, spokesperson for the Jirga, denied that this was true.

“We have not received such lists from anybody yet,” he said. “Members of Parliament met with Ghulam Farooq Wardak to share their concerns with him in this regard. They consulted about selecting the right persons for the Jirga.”

Ahmadi did not deny that there had been attempts to dictate the composition of the gathering.

“Each one wants to introduce his/her own people to participate in this Jirga, but we are doing our best to let the real representatives of the people take part,” he said. “No lists of participants have been finalized as yet.”

There will be approximately 200 women among the 1500 delegates to the Jirga, said Barakzai. The number, while small, should be large enough to make a difference, she insisted.
 
“There will be a sufficient number of women that they can raise their concerns,” she said. “But I am worried about their unity. They can design proper national solutions if they stick together. But they can do nothing, no matter how many they are, if they are not united.”

Security forces have already tightened control around the city in preparation for the Jirga. Students from the Kabul Polytechnic University – where the Jirga will be held – are divided in their assessments of the event. They, along with other residents of the area, are concerned that the choice of location will disrupt their lives without bringing any benefit. The dormitories have been appropriated to house the delegates, and classes will be cancelled during the Jirga.

“All people of Afghanistan are optimistic about the possibility of the Jirga to establish sustainable peace in the country,” said Mehrgan, a 24-year-old resident of Kabul. “But the location is cause for concern. The Loya Jirga tent is at Kabul Polytechnic, in the heart of the city. The residents will face many problems. It would be better to hold the Jirga somewhere else.”

Kabul Polytechnic student Maieed Omran agreed.

“Our current academic year will have to be extended because of the irresponsible acts of the government,” he said. “Many students who have come from other provinces had to spend a lot of money for housing when the dormitories were closed. The Jirga has no benefit for us; it is just the government playing with our lives.”

Afghan citizens are also concerned about how much money will be spent on the Jirga.

Ahmadi, the spokesperson for the Jirga, insists that less money will be spent on this event than on previous Jirgas.

“We just have to refurbish the Loya Jirga tent,” he said. “More money will be spent on housing the delegates.”

The Polytechnic dormitories had to be repaired, he added. But media rumors that the Jirga would consume vast resources were not true, he insisted.

The Taliban are not invited to the Jirga, which will try to devise a framework for negotiations. The Taliban are withholding judgment on the event until they see what emerges from the gathering.

“It is too early to comment,” said Taliban spokesperson Qari Yusuf Ahmadi. “The Taliban will declare their stance on the Jirga and share it with the media based on the progress achieved.”