Malik Niyaz, an influential tribal leader of the Mohmand Valley, passionately appeals to his peers to take action through unification during a historic tribal meeting in eastern Afghanistan's Nangarhar province, Jan. 21. The jirga included Maliks, or tribal leaders, and 170 village elders from six districts in Nangarhar province. The elders met to denounce the Taliban and corrupt governance by signing the anti-Taliban Shinwari Pact. The pact allowed the sub-tribes to unify in their stance against the Taliban and poppy cultivation, and also represents a new level of cooperation with the Afghan national security forces and International Security Assistance Forces. "We promise we will help you fight Taliban," Niazy said, "but you must help us."