UN-assisted commission collects 120 weapons in northern Afghanistan

In a voluntary disarmament exercise by key Afghan factions, a United Nations-assisted security commission has collected 120 light and heavy weapons in the northern region of the country, a flashpoint for tensions between rival militias.

The delegation of the Mazar Multi Party Security Commission, including representatives of the Jamiat, Jumbesh and Hizb-e-Wahdat militias and the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), began the operation in the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif for the Sholgara sector last Saturday.

"Individuals also came forward and submitted 130 light private weapons for registration," UNAMA spokesman Manoel de Almeida e Silva told reporters today in the Afghan capital, Kabul. "A decree signed on 13 August by the three factional leaders stated that while all personal weapons could be retained by their owners they must be registered or else would be considered illegal."

Despite this good start the spokesman stressed that "it is felt that there are still more weapons out there to be collected." UNAMA and the Mazar-based Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) would meet today in Sholgara to discuss whether the exercise should continue for a few more days, he added.

The collected weapons will be taken to Mazar for storage in the depots of the factions. UNAMA and PRT will monitor the weapons storage. In addition, PRT will periodically patrol the area to monitor compliance with the disarmament.

These voluntary disarmament exercises have no connection to the national disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme due to start in the coming weeks, according to Mr. de Almeida e Silva.