KANDAHAR: A worrying upsurge of Taliban-linked violence in southern Afghanistan is being fuelled by government corruption and lack of development, analysts say. An incident in which 34 civilians were killed nearly a week ago in a coalition strike in Kandahar province prompted a rare visit by President Hamid Karzai, who seldom dares set foot in the area, to reassure an increasingly frustrated population.

And on Saturday about 200 bearded and turbaned tribal elders, religious leaders and political officials met to debate the problem.

Villagers must be more vigilant about turning away militants who are trying to establish a presence in their areas, some elders said.

Afghan officials said last week that Taliban militants were trying to retake some territory in the south, the birthplace of their ultra-conservate movement, moving the insurgency on from mere guerrilla-style attacks.

“Let’s stop the Taliban from using our homes and villages, brothers,” said one tribal chief, Malik Nazar Gul, from Kandahars Dand district.

Another tribal leader, Ahmad Shah Khan, echoed the call. “If we dont give food to Taliban, if we dont allow them to use our homes to hide, they can never do what they’re doing now,” the silver-bearded Khan said as others nodded in agreement.

The meeting’s host Ahmad Wali Karzai, the Kandahar province council chief and younger brother of the president, urged tribal chiefs to persuade their people to support the government instead of helping the Taliban.

“Wasnt it us that elected this government?” asked the younger Karzai. “If we did vote for it, if you chose this government, then why we shouldn’t support it?”

The fundamentalist Taliban, toppled from power in a US-led invasion in late 2001, want to overthrow the new administration led by Karzai, the first popularly elected government in three decades.

They also aim to drive out the 10,000 Nato peacekeeping troops and 20,000 US-led anti-insurgent soldiers whom they say have invaded Afghanistan.

The insurgency has intensified each year since 2001. Many analysts and even some officials agree widespread government corruption is a root cause, causing disillusionment among local people and hamstringing development.

“Corrupt people holding on to government posts have caused the ordinary population to distance themselves from the central government,” said local politician and regional expert Mohammad Akbar Khakrizwal.

Many demand bribes from destitute villagers while the area has seen little benefit from the billions of dollars of international aid poured into Afghanistan since the Taliban were forced out.

Dissatisfaction and Taliban calls for jihad against the “invading infidels” have won the militia some hearts and minds amongst poverty-stricken and illiterate but proud Afghan villagers who have a long and bloody history of struggle against foreign invasions, Khakrizwal said.

“The Taliban have got a case,” Khakrizwal said.

“The government also has a case but there is no one in government who is explaining this to the people, to tell them that these troops are not invading troops, they’re here to help maintain security and rebuild.”

Provincial education chief and regional expert Hayatullah Rafiqi said the government was losing popular support because of several factors, including poverty, lack of reconstruction and the weakness of its security forces.

But, “no doubt the corruption is the main reason for the current situation,” Rafiqi said. “At the same time people have lost trust in the government...inevitably the people help the Taliban.”

The situation is worsened by the government’s failure to improve livelihood as it promised before taking power, said social affairs analyst Shamsuddin Tanwir.

“The government has basically failed to fulfil its promises. Look at the jobless rate — obviously it helps people to slide to the other side, the opposition,” he told AFP.

Khakrizwal warned that if the problem were not addressed immediately, the government would lose the battle.

“The Taliban already have control over some districts and this will reach the cities,” he predicted, shaking his head sadly. “The battle will be lost.”—AFP