Afghanistan Times
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By Farhad Naibkhel-KABUL: In a meeting with Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah on Saturday, former and current government officials urged the leaders to implement the agreement as foundation of the National Unity Government (NUG).
President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah signed a political deal in 2014 to establish the NUG. According to the deal, the government had to meet two basic conditions: convening constitutional Loya Jirga to promote the position of Chief Executive or Prime Minister through amendment in the constitution; and introduce electoral reforms within two years.
The unity government will complete two years in September, but it has no plan and preparation for Loya Jirga. Moreover, electoral reforms are also in doldrums.
Abdullah met his deputies Mohmmad Khan and Mohammad Mohaqiq, Minister of Foreign Affairs and head of Jamiat-e-Islami Party Salahudin Rabani, Balkh governor Atta Noor, Ex-Defense Minister Besmellah Mohammadi, former Inelegance Chief Amrullah Saleh and Minister of Justice Abdul Basir Anwar, his office said in a statement.
The political figures, expressed support of Abdullah’s recent remarks and strategy, emphasizing for the implementation of the agreement.
Ghani and Abdullah had promised to bring reforms in electoral bodies, start issuance of electronic ID cards as well as call the Loya Jirga after the end of second year. The government is to step into third year, but has not fulfilled promises.
The meeting took place after Abdullah directly accused the president of being impatient. Presidential palace quickly reacted to Abdullah’s criticism.
The Presidential Palace slammed Abdullah for his remarks against President Ghani.
Abdullah had said that on different occasions, he tolerated the president’s reluctance over national issues, but now his patience has reached at the boiling point. He said that leaders in every country have conflicting arguments, but if someone doesn’t have patience for discussion, then he is unfit for the presidency.
Taking into account the sensitive situation of the country, it requires political elites, government officials, seasoned scholars, tribal elders and the people of Afghanistan to continue join efforts to overcome all challenges,” the Presidential Palace said on Friday in a media statement.
“With regrets, Dr. Abdullah’s speech was not in accordance with the principles and spirit of governance, because governance is based on the principles and criteria to implement the law,” the statement issued by Ghani’s office said.
President Ghani and Abdullah were reportedly scheduled to meet on Saturday to discuss important issues, but it has been canceled, possibility it is a sign of depending of political crisis in already fragile in NUG.
However, Deputy Spokesman for Chief Executive Office Jawid Faisal said on twitter that today president Ghani and CEO had not any meeting.
Ghani and Abdullah had no good relation since start of electoral campaigns, but tensions reached at high level between these two electoral front liners, which blamed each other to fraud in election. After a long deadlock both candidates president Ghani and CEO Abdullah by US broker agreed to establish National Unity Government. Although people believed that National Unity Government will be a weak government as well as tension won’t be ended between these two teams. Many time people were witness of grievance from both teams through media against each other in the past years, but recently the tension flame become more and directly leaders criticized each other in front of media or through statements.
Number of experts called running of traditional Loya Jirga only the remedy to address current crises in the country. Recently Shahzada Masoud, advisor for ex-president, said that day by day political, security, economic and social challenges increased in the country, thus it is required of National Unity Government to convene traditional Loya Jirga in order to put end for current crisis across the country.
