Ghani rejects resignation of senior security brass

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AT-KABUL: President Ghani has rejected resignations of three of its high-ranking security officials, asking them to stay at their posts and work to bolster security.

Minister of Defense Tariq Shah Bahrami, Minister of Interior Wais Ahmad Barmak and Chief of National Directorate of Security Mohammad Masoum Stanikzai tendered their resignations to President Ghani earlier on Sunday, a statement of the president’s office said.

President Ghani refused the resignation offers and asked his top security officials to continue their duty and work for the improvement of security, it added.

This is as Hanif Atmar stepped down as the national security advisor on Saturday, citing disagreements with the government’s policies on fundamental issues. This resignation drama is heating up in the wake of reports suggesting that Ghani himself asked his security cabinet to step down.

This cabinet shake-out takes place at a time when insecurity has reached its peak in Kabul and around the country. Last week, Kabul city was hit last week during Eid al-Adha celebrations by a barrage of more than 20 mortars. Assailants who had hidden in a market around 3km distant from the Presidential Palace and the Defense Ministry compound fired rockets on Kabul city right at a time when the President were offering prayers with political and Jihadi leaders and national figures in the palace.

After the mortar attacks, top security officials were strictly criticized by the Afghan people and politicians who blamed them for failing to maintain security during Eid-ul-Adha festival. It is believed that the recent attack on Kabul could have prompted the resignation of senior security brass.