Pakistani and Afghan Presidents Attend a Peace "jirga" in Kabul

Traditional tribal consensus building mechanism used effectively in one of world’s hot spots.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf (L) and Afghan President Hamid Karzai attended a peace "jirga" this past week in Kabul. The two leaders, who are both embattled and have in the past sparred publicly between one another, agreed to co-operate on security issues to combat Taliban and al Qaeda militants. Subsequent jigras were planned to establish economic and social projects aimed at undercutting support for radicals. Here are their reported comments:

"There is no other option for both countries other than peace and unity, trust and cooperation," Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf told the closing session of the jirga. "There is no justification for resorting to terrorism." 

"It is a very happy event that the jirga between two countries was convened," Afghan President Hamid Karzai said in a short speech. "It is ending with good results, achievements and a message for both countries." 

Given the success of this meeting it is important to know more about the jigra. A jirga is a tribal assembly of elders which makes decisions by consensus. They are most common in Afghanistan and along the Pakistan border with Afghanistan.  Jigras are primarily dispute resolution mechanisms and have played a key role of mediators between the governments and the militants. They are deeply imbedded in those societies; and are also used for personal dispute resolution.  In personal disputes, disputants find a mediator of stature such as a senior cleric, local notable, or a mediation specialist. The mediator hears from both sides and forms a jirga of community elders including both sides of the dispute. Once formed, the jirga then considers the case and come to a consensus.

Jigras are a wonderful example of “natural law”, consensus decision making that is practiced under other names but with essentially the same structure by aboriginal peoples around the world.

In Canada, Aboriginal peoples have used consensus decision making for thousands of years. Consensus decision making held in conclaves are used today in aboriginal communities and with federal and provincial governments to settle contentious land claim disputes. The Canadian constitution has been influenced by this process.

The use of “consensus” in whatever language and culture – the gathering of collective wisdom and positions and not a simple majority holds promise across the world for the betterment of mankind. It is a grass roots democratic process that is used successfully by local communities and governments around the world.

Source: Howard Oliver, Security International's North American Correspondent

Reposted with permission from Security International: http://www.security-int.com/news/2007/08/13/pakistani-and-afghan-presidents-attend-a-peace-jirga-in-kabul.asp