Afghan Biographies

Sadaqat, Muhammad Ali


Name Sadaqat, Muhammad Ali
Ethnic backgr. Hazara
Date of birth
Function/Grade Warlord Daikundi
History and Biodata

3. Biodata:
Mohammad Ali Sadaqat is a Warlord in Daikundi Province. Formerly he was a Commander for the Revolutionary Guards of Afghanistan, a party supported by Iran during the Soviet occupation. When the Taliban ascended to power in 1996, Sadaqat fled to Iran. He subsequently returned to Afghanistan and rose to prominence in the Posht-i-Rouq Mountains in Khadir Khedir and Istharli Ashtarley districts.

The commander of an illegal armed group, Muhammad Ali Sadaqat, has been blamed for several abductions in Daikundi Daykundi Daikondi Province. Locals said if the government did not do something about the increasing violence, insecurity could spread to nearby Ashtarley , Kitti and Sang-e-Takh districts. Sadaqat has armed men who intimidate people. Whenever a robbery takes place, people blame Sadaqat’s men. A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Sadaqat and his men were involved in theft and kidnapping in the province.

Two years ago, two French citizens, working for the non-governmental organisation Action Against Hunger  were kidnapped in Nili. Local officials say the pair were kidnapped by Sadaqat. The hostages were released with the help of tribal elders and a presidential advisor, Jan Muhammad Khan. Sadaqat was accused of receiving a large amount of money in return for the release of the hostages.

The commander is also accused of running a private jail.(2010) which is located in a cave in the rugged and remote mountains of Posht-i-Rouq, about six kilometres from the centre of Khadir and about 60 kilometres from the provincial capital Nili. Dozens of residents in Khadir and Ishtarli districts say they have been jailed by Sadaqat at some time or another, and released for money or weapons. But many are too frightened to talk about it.

An official, who did not want to be named said, that 20090100 a large number of police were sent to the area to arrest the commander. However, they were turned back from the province by order of a high-ranking official from Kabul. The source said he did not know who ordered the police back to their barracks, but that he was among them and their orders were to leave the commander alone. While the provincial police chief said the commander might have less than 50 armed supporters, a resident, who did not want to be named but has close relations to Sadaqat, said the commander has more than 100 armed followers. Sadaqat has also been accused of abducting two French aid workers in 2008. The two were reportedly released in exchange for two of the commander's supporters.

Led by a former Jehadi commander, Mohammad Ali Sadaqat Sedaqat a group of up to 380 armed individuals joined peace process in central province of Daikundi.. But, the ministry of interior only confirmed 252 armed insurgents to be included by the group led by the commander. The armed individuals laid their arms were active in three districts of Khider Kitti, Sang-e-Takht and Ashtorlai, where they had been involved in anti-government activities. The main reason behind why the commander to oppose the government was his disregard by the government after the interim administration was established in the country.

Commander Sadaqat was assigned as a highway lieutenant security chief between Badghis and Faryab provinces and is expected to practically start his work. According to him, those loyal to the commander, if eligible were also said to be recruited to police force and other organs. This is the first great government armed oppositions group joined peace process in Daikundi province, where a group of five had also joined peace process in Ashtarlai district, with the government endeavoring much to pave the way for those still remained in opposition with the government.(20121031)

Last Modified 2012-10-31
Established 2012-10-31