James Donally

Colder weather but some warmer developments

Today we made the first steps in reinvigorating the Musa Qala District Council (or “Shura” as it is called here). Having a strong district governor is both a bonus and a hindrance to governance in Musa Qala. The bonus is that we can get clear decisions and direction from him. The downside is that it is not healthy for him to be deciding everything for Musa Qala, and in any case it’s not possible. Fortunately he agrees with this so we have begun to gather some local, worthy men to start to work on the problems of their constituents. And, yes, for now there will just be men on the shura given the traditional nature of this district. However, the new shura represents the main tribal and geographical interests of the district and as such should be able to make decisions that will be acceptable to much of the local population. The most encouraging thing is that the shura members are willing and able to come into the district centre to hold their sessions. Only three months ago eight members of the previous shura were kidnapped by insurgents and persuaded to resign from the shura. These days the security situation, although still fragile, is reasonably good in the district centre. Amongst other developments, we completed and signed off today a new building in the district centre designed to house the governor’s civil secretariat and government visitors to the district. And just in time, since reps from the Ministry of Rural Reconstruction and Development are in town to start work on some of their irrigation projects, so they now have somewhere to sleep. The weather in Musa Qala has suddenly turned very chilly and I am wondering whether the concrete shed in which we sleep will turn into a fridge in winter, just as it was an oven in summer and whether my sleeping bag will hold out. On the plus side, there was a slice of melon for breakfast this morning – the first fresh rations we have had in two weeks. However, I am lucky to be heading home shortly for R & R so will have chance to stock up on winter clothing and Marmite. Lucky, too because it can be quite difficult to get helicopter seats out of Musa Qala but thanks to our amazing Royal Navy fixer I’ve got a seat. Strange, though, that the navy are working here so far from the sea on matters to do with aviation but the system seems to work.

Posted at 09:41 19 November 2008 by James Donally  |  Comments[0]