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On 7 March, Afghan President Hamid Karzai made a landmark visit to the former insurgent stronghold of Marjah in Helmand Province. The President was greeted by local Afghan National Security Forces, Provincial and District Government officials, local elders and community representatives. This is the first time an Afghan President or King has visited the area which, just a few weeks ago, was under the control of insurgents.

President Karzai conducted a shura, a traditional Afghan meeting to consult with local elders and officials. In a packed room, the President committed to bring effective security and accountable governance to an area that had seen little of either for years. The Marjah elders took full opportunity to raise their concerns, fears and hopes for the future. Some had personal grievances about destroyed property or corrupt government officials, others called for greater investment in schools, hospitals and the local economy. Given the scale of recent military operations to separate the insurgents from the population over the past few weeks, security concerns were high on the agenda of many of the participants.

“Well they are our people, and we exchanged views, I heard them, they heard me, they had some very legitimate complaints, very, very legitimate,” said President Karzai following the shura. “They feel as if they were abandoned, which in many cases is true, and this sense of abandonment has to go away. We have to address their problems; we have to give them what we have not so far, and provide them with the security they require.”

Following Afghan tradition, the shura enabled key decisions to be taken. President Karzai informed those gathered of his decision to give Marjah the status of a District in its own right. This development signals the government's intent to engage more directly with the population. In addition, the President consulted the shura on some key appointments, including the confirmation of the appointment of Deputy District Governor Hadji Abdul Zahir, who received strong support from the local elders.

The President travelled to Marjah with Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak Interior Minister Hanif Atmar, NDS Director Amrullah Saleh, IDLG Director Jalani Popal and National Security Adviser Dr Rangin Spanta. He met with Members of the Afghan Parliament from Helmand Province and Helmand Governor Gulab Mangal. The Afghan Delegation was joined by NATO Senior Civilian Representative, Ambassador Mark Sedwill, and the Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF), General Stanley McChrystal.

“What you saw today was Afghan democracy down here at the grass roots in action,” said Ambassador Sedwill.. “The people told President Karzai exactly what they needed: security, justice and development. The Afghan Government is here to deliver that and we are here to help them.”