Ex-fighters taught vocational skills in Badghis

QALA-I-NAW (PAN): More than 370 former insurgents have been taught vocational skills in northwestern Badghis province, an official said on Sunday. 

The individuals, after laying down their weapons, were trained for six months in carpentry, tailoring, masonry and beekeeping.

High Peace Council chief for the province, Abdul Khalil, told Pajhwok Afghan News the training course would help convince other insurgents to surrender.  

Mullah Salim, an ex-rebel commander, said: “I plan to turn to beekeeping,  and sell the honey to eke g out a living.”

But some surrendering rebels complained, saying the training programmes were not being implementing according to the promises held out to them.

This could harm the peace process, with many ex-fighters considering rejoining the insurgency, he warned, asking the authorities to keep their promises.

Mullah Mohammad Yosuf, another former rebel commander, said “I joined the peace process eight month ago along with 25 associates. But the government has not yet done nothing for us.”

Most of the then militants remained jobless, he said, adding he would return to Taliban folds if he remained unemployed.

On the other hand, peace council officials promised vocational training courses would be arranged for the ex-insurgents, who would be given job opportunities.

Since the establishment of council in the province, more than 1,229 Taliban have renounced the insurgency, amid efforts to provide jobs for them, the Badghis High Peace Council head said.

He added it was impossible to arrange training programmes for all the people simultaneously. They needed time to provide them with jobs, Abdul Khalil concluded.

mrh/mud