The news that the Mamond tribe in Bajaur has signed a “peace agreement” with the Pakistani government is sure to cause some in the “let’s negotiate” crowd to jump with joy. On the face of it, it looks like a great deal: the fighting ends, al Qaeda won’t be sheltered, the Taliban will lay down their weapons and recognize the writ of the state:
Leaders of the Mamond, the largest tribe in the district that borders Afghanistan, signed a 28-point peace accord Monday, agreeing to surrender local Taliban commander Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, his spokesman Muslim Khan and three other key figures, the Dawn newspaper reported. However, the Taliban leaders will be pardoned and allowed to live peacefully if they promised not to fight government forces. Under the agreement, all militants would lay down arms and get themselves registered with their respective tribes to facilitate monitoring and stop propaganda against the state and its institutions. The Mamoond tribe also agreed not to shelter any al-Qaeda-linked foreign militants, rent or sell them property and to register all Islamic seminaries in the area.
The problem is the Mamond tribe signed a very similar agreement back in 2006:
1) We, the tribes of Mamond in Bajaur agency, undertake in writing that we would neither give refuge to any Pakistani or foreign terrorist or criminal nor establish contacts with them. We undertake to cooperate with the government of Pakistan and the political administration of Bajaur in taking action against local or foreign militants in case information becomes available about presence of suspects in the area. 2) We undertake to accept and follow all decisions and agreements already made or likely to be made at the national and local levels between us and Pakistan government and political administration of Bajaur for maintaining law and order and pursuing development activities. 3) We agree to cooperate with government and non-government organisations and protect the life and property of their members for the sake of Bajaur’s progress and prosperity and for ensuring law and order. 4) We also undertake not to take part in any militant activity or acts of sabotage in or outside Pakistan that would bring a bad name to the country. 5) As patriotic Pakistanis, we would not hesitate to offer sacrifices for the country, whenever called upon to do so by the government of Pakistan and the political administration of Bajaur.
Expect this “peace agrement” to yield the same results as the failed 2006 agreement.
