Afghanistan is again inching towards political instability due to infighting between rivals in the unity government headed by President Ashraf Ghani, who won the disputed election of 2014. US Secretary of State John Kerry was in Kabul yesterday for talks with all sides so that the government doesn’t crumble under the weight of the differences. The country is passing through difficult moments and any crisis going out of control can lead to disastrous consequences – the economy is in a shambles, and most dangerously, the resurgent Taliban is stronger than at any time since they were toppled from power in late 2001. Underlining the precariousness and fragility of the situation, at least two explosions, apparently from rockets, hit the diplomatic zone of Kabul shortly after Kerry’s visit ended and his plane was preparing to take off from Bagram airport outside the city. The attacks on the heavily protected diplomatic zone sends a powerful signal about the ability of the insurgents to strike any targets. The current crisis is over the implementation a deal agreed before the formation of the unity government. Under the deal, a loya jirga, or special assembly, was expected to be held to amend the constitution within two years of the September 2014 election, potentially
allowing Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive, to take the post of prime minister. In the 2014 election, Abdullah was the runner up. As September comes near, indicating the end of the two-year period, there is a growing political tension with opposition politicians close to former President Hamid Karzai insisting that the unity agreement must be subject to broad consultation. Washington is taking the position that the agreement was valid for the full term of the government, which means the US believes the government can continue even without a new constitutional deal.
The last thing the world needs is a political crisis in Afghanistan that would question the legitimacy of the national unity government. The country needs unity in its fight against the Taliban. Corruption has ruined the economy and the government hasn’t been able to do anything. Kabul desperately needs international aid amid concerns about the use of these funds. Donor nations are expected to gather in Brussels in October to make aid pledges to Afghanistan.
The security situation is likely worsen as the Taliban extends its influence. NATO officials estimate that government forces have complete control over no more than 70 percent of the country. Compounding these woes, the US forces in the country are due to be almost halved to 5,500 from the current 9,800 by the start of 2017.
The rivals in the government in Kabul should not precipitate a crisis that will destabilise the government.
Afghanistan is again inching towards political instability due to infighting between rivals in the unity government headed by President Ashraf Ghani, who won the disputed election of 2014. US Secretary of State John Kerry was in Kabul yesterday for talks with all sides so that the government doesn’t crumble under the weight of the differences. The country is passing through difficult moments and any crisis going out of control can lead to disastrous consequences – the economy is in a shambles, and most dangerously, the resurgent Taliban is stronger than at any time since they were toppled from power in late 2001. Underlining the precariousness and fragility of the situation, at least two explosions, apparently from rockets, hit the diplomatic zone of Kabul shortly after Kerry’s visit ended and his plane was preparing to take off from Bagram airport outside the city. The attacks on the heavily protected diplomatic zone sends a powerful signal about the ability of the insurgents to strike any targets. The current crisis is over the implementation a deal agreed before the formation of the unity government. Under the deal, a loya jirga, or special assembly, was expected to be held to amend the constitution within two years of the September 2014 election, potentially
allowing Abdullah Abdullah, Chief Executive, to take the post of prime minister. In the 2014 election, Abdullah was the runner up. As September comes near, indicating the end of the two-year period, there is a growing political tension with opposition politicians close to former President Hamid Karzai insisting that the unity agreement must be subject to broad consultation. Washington is taking the position that the agreement was valid for the full term of the government, which means the US believes the government can continue even without a new constitutional deal.
The last thing the world needs is a political crisis in Afghanistan that would question the legitimacy of the national unity government. The country needs unity in its fight against the Taliban. Corruption has ruined the economy and the government hasn’t been able to do anything. Kabul desperately needs international aid amid concerns about the use of these funds. Donor nations are expected to gather in Brussels in October to make aid pledges to Afghanistan.
The security situation is likely worsen as the Taliban extends its influence. NATO officials estimate that government forces have complete control over no more than 70 percent of the country. Compounding these woes, the US forces in the country are due to be almost halved to 5,500 from the current 9,800 by the start of 2017.
The rivals in the government in Kabul should not precipitate a crisis that will destabilise the government.
