NATO's Senior Civilian Representative supports Afghan plans to improve local governance
On 17 February, the NATO Senior Civilian Representative, Ambassador Mark Sedwill, paid a courtesy call to the Director General of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG), Mr. Jelani Popal.
Mr. Popal and Ambassador Sedwill discussed issues of sub-national governance, and in particular, preparations for the civilian phase of Operation Moshtarak.
Twenty-five line ministries, under the leadership of Mr. Popal, are prepared to initiate programmes and projects in Marjah at the end of the operation’s military phase.
The District Delivery Programme is a key aspect of increasing and improving government-delivered services in districts where security has been established. The programme’s implementation will be overseen and coordinated by the IDLG in consultation with the Governor and local people in each district.
The success of the operation in Marjah will not happen in the military phase, but in the months following, as the people of Central Helmand feel the effects of security, better governance, justice and economic opportunities. Ambassador Sedwill expressed his full support for these plans and commended the Afghan leadership that has been demonstrated.