Appointed Governor Returns to Kabul, Protests Continue in Faryab

Mohammad Daud Laghmani, the recently appointed governor of Faryab province, returned to Kabul today after staying a week in an army base in Maimana city of Faryab province, according to the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG).

Following ten days of protests over the appointment of Daud Laghmani as Faryab’s governor by the central government, on Monday night the IDLG announced that Abdul Muqim Rasikh, the acting deputy governor of Faryab province, will be the acting governor of the province until the appointment of a new governor.

But the protesters today still marched on the streets of Maimana, saying they would not stop their demonstrations until a new governor is appointed.

Ehsanullah Qawanch, a protester in Faryab, said: “We respect Mr. Rasikh, but the people’s real demand is for the appointment of a new governor.”

“The protests will continue until the new governor is introduced. The new governor’s appointment should be selected by the people of Faryab,” said Sayed Naeem, a protestor.

Protesters say that although the government has asked Daoud Laghmani to return to Kabul, they are waiting for Marshal Dostum’s order to end their protests.

Junbish-e-Mili Afghanistan (The National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan), a political party led by Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum, said that the government will nominate a governor for the Faryab province from a list that Dostum submitted to the government earlier. However, the government did not confirm this.

Senator Rahela Dostum stated: “Our demand to the President is–for the sake of national consensus–focus on unity and solidarity, for which there is a critical need now more than ever. He should not let the distance be created between the people and the government.”

The government institutions in Faryab have been closed for the last 11 days.

Several senators said that the government should not make such a political decision in the current chaotic situation that provokes reactions from the people.

MP Bismillah Jan Mohammad said: “The situation is sensitive. The government should not make changes without consulting the people.”

Although Hamid Karzai, the former president of Afghanistan, is mediating between the government and the Junbish-e-Mili party to resolve disagreements, it is not clear whether the government will agree to appoint one of the proposed nominees by Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum as the new governor of Faryab province.

About a month ago, Dawood Laghmani was officially announced as a replacement to Naqibullah Fayeq, the previous governor of Faryab, but eight days ago, Mr. Laghmani started his job as the Fayab governor in an army base in the province, which triggered reactions from the Junbish members and supporters.