Roads are vital in the stabilization and reconstruction of a conflict-affected country. These initiatives impact population groups and their relationship with one-another through infrastructure construction and maintenance, through processes of decision-making and participation, and most significantly through their outcomes. The impacts of roads sector initiatives are felt by large sections of the population and can have effects not only on those directly benefitting from the project but on economic growth, resource distribution, governance, and security.

U4 Brief No. 19

Peace Brief by Sylvana Q. Sinha

Summary

At least 80% of all disputes in Afghanistan are resolved through traditional dispute resolution (TDR) mechanisms, principally community councils called shuras or jirgas. TDR is therefore impossible to ignore as the primary justice institution in the country.

Still, most women’s groups in Afghanistan tend to oppose international donor or Afghan government support for TDR because they generally exclude women from participation and are known to issue decisions that violate women’s rights.

Community Voices on Justice, Peace and Reconciliation

Executive Summary Ten years after the overthrow of the Taliban, Afghanistan is an environment of escalating conflict and prevailing impunity. In this context, the narrative of the Afghan government and its international partners has increasingly focused on ending the violence through negotiating with insurgent leaders and reintegrating their fighters into Afghan society. In their attempt to secure peace, policymakers have largely failed to include justice as a component of reconciliation and reintegration processes.

Key Highlights:

During November 2011, wheat prices remained stable or slightly decreased in Afghanistan, regional markets (Delhi) and in the International markets.

• Global wheat prices remained stable due to a good last year’s harvest in the key Wheat producing countries like France, Ukraine, Australia and Canada, but the next year’s grain production may not be good in Ukraine and Russia due to drought situation (according to Soufflet International wheat production weekly report).

Afghanistan - Understanding the Gender Dimension of Trade Markets Project : saffron operation manual (English)

Abstract

Kabul — H.E. Dr. Zalmai Rassoul, Afghan Foreign Minister and Mr. Xu Feihong, Ambassador Extraordinary of the People’s Republic of China signed an Agreement on Economic and Technical Cooperation worth 150 million yuan ($23.5 million) today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This sum is a part of the grant assistance of China to the people of Afghanistan.