Michael Hughes: Legitimacy has long been king in Afghanistan. Without political legitimacy, there is chaos. This may be true in most countries but, as per history, the correlation in Afghanistan is stronger than in most. Hence, it is no accident that Afghanistan has been mired in civil war since the delicate ethno-sectarian-tribal balance was disrupted
Press TV March 13, 2020 The Afghan Foreign Ministry has summoned the United Nations (UN) special representative for Afghanistan to protest his meeting with Abdullah Abdullah, a former official and a rival to incumbent President Ashraf Ghani. Abdullah has contested the official results of the recent presidential election in Afghanistan, which Ghani won. On Monday,
Amin Alemi Press TV, Kabul March 12, 2020 Afghan President Ashraf Ghani has approved the release of hundreds of Taliban prisoners as part of efforts to pave the way for the start of talks with the militant group. According to a decree signed by Ghani, 500 prisoners would be released within 15 days starting on
Tolo News: Abdullah Abdullah in a statement issued on Wednesday said that the National Unity Government ‘ended’ after his swearing-in ceremony, and that “soon the chief executive of the inclusive government will officially be introduced.” “Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, former president of the National Unity Government, is no longer president and his decrees and orders are
Tolo News: President Ashraf Ghani signed an order on Tuesday night to pardon and release Taliban prisoners in order for the peace talks between Afghanistan’s government and the Taliban to start, said Palace spokesperson Sediq Sediqqi. Click here to read more (external link). Related Afghan President, Taliban At Impasse Over Prisoner Release Prisoners Accused of
Tolo News: A day after twin inauguration ceremonies were held in Kabul by President Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah, former president Hamid Karzai in a statement called the current situation “concerning” and said it is a consequence of US policies and the US’s “insulting” and “divisive” treatment towards the people of Afghanistan. Karzai says
Ayaz Gul VOA News March 9, 2020 Afghanistan’s president-elect Ashraf Ghani and his election rival, runner-up Abdullah Abdullah, took part in parallel swearing-in ceremonies Monday, fueling political tensions and posing a fresh challenge to U.S.-led peace efforts. Both ceremonies were initially delayed, apparently to allow for hectic U.S. diplomacy to resolve the crisis. However, after
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty March 9, 2020 Confusion reigned early on March 9 over the parallel inaugurations planned by Afghanistan’s rival claimants to the presidency after challenger Abdullah Abdullah’s spokesman said he was postponing his ceremony. However, spokesman Omid Maisam said Abdullah’s decision was contingent upon incumbent President Ashraf Ghani also delaying his inauguration —
Tolo News: Officials from President Ashraf Ghani’s office and Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah’s offices – which are separated by a wall and connected by a narrow road – are preparing for separate swearing-in ceremonies on Monday despite efforts by politicians to find a solution for the problem. Abdullah’s office confirmed that US special envoy Zalmay
1TV: Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday called on the Taliban to leave Pakistan and open office in Afghanistan. “If the Taliban talk prisoner release and have it as a condition, we also have conditions, they should tell me when will they leave Pakistan?,” Ghani asked during a visit to eastern Nangarhar province. The Taliban