Maliks Rewarded for Fighting the Taliban

 “If you want to make a Malik angry, ask him how we can help him defend his village” states Ed Vowell, military liaison for the State Department in Nangarhar Province. 

Maliks are selected for many traits but courage and heroism ranks as the highest.  There has been much debate about the Community Defense Initiative (CDI), the plan to give military support and training to village elders to fight the Taliban.  Many feared it would cause more division in a country already traumatized after decades of war and internal strife. 

These village elders need support, but not to defend their villages.  They know how to fight and have for centuries.  What support they need is for schools, medical clinics and humanitarian aid because for eight years their communities had been overlooked by the corrupt Karzai government. 

The Maliks had been asked by the government to not plant poppy and they complied.  They fought the Taliban and killing a Taliban commander and yet were not rewarded. 

Lt. Col. Simmons heard their request and answered.  The Colonel is Squadron Commander of the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiments, 48th Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard. 

On FOB Hughie this morning, in a room packed with eleven elders, one mullah and the Commander of the Afghan Border Police (ABP) for the 6th Kandak, the Colonel stated how the Maliks were going to receive help.

For signing an Anti-Taliban Pact a week ago, the Shinwari tribe will get a development budget of $1 million on projects they choose.  The funding will NOT be going through the Karzai government, where corrupt officials take their slice through graft and bribery. 

“This is a radical shift from how we have given support in the past” the Colonel stated.

Before the $1 million budget is started, $200,000 in funds will be given immediately, directly to the Shinwari tribe of which $100,000 will be for humanitarian aid for their neediest; the poor, disabled and elderly.

Col. Simmons stated “We prefer that the purchases will be made in your local bazaars to help your local economy.”

The second $100,000 is for fast, cash-for-work projects that will begin immediately and be completed by Feb 19.  The reason for the fast turnaround is the Georgia Guard is returning to the home soon. 

“My unit is leaving in four weeks – but what we are doing today is supported by Col. George and in the highest levels. Cash-for-work projects won’t leave when we leave.  We will go out there in 2 weeks and inspect and make final payments.”

It seems the Georgia National Guard has found a way to deliver.

In two short months they found a way to get much needed aid to a tribe who has been fighting the Taliban all on their own for eight years.