Ashraf Ghani was inaugurated on Monday, September 29th, and called on the Taliban to join peace talks. He formed a unity government with election rival Abdullah Abdullah after a prolonged standoff over vote results that ended in a deal to make Ghani president and Abdullah a chief executive in the government with broad powers.
At inauguration ceremony at the presidential palace in central Kabul, Ghani and Abdullah promised to work together for Afghanistan’s progress. In the audience were hundreds of dignitaries from 34 countries, as well as the United Nations and the European Union. John Podesta, a senior adviser to President Obama, led the U.S. delegation, which included Ambassador James B. Cunningham and other senior officials.
On the streets of Kabul, residents in cafes and restaurants watched the inauguration, which was televised nationally. Many expressed optimism that the new government could solve the challenges facing the country.
The inauguration also marked the end of Karzai’s long presidency. In his final speech as president, Karzai told the audience that he would support Ghani and Abdullah and that he would be “at their service.”
On Tuesday, September 30th, National security adviser Hanif Atmar and US Ambassador James Cunningham signed the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) in a televised ceremony at the presidential palace.
A separate, status-of-forces agreement also was signed. It permits a small NATO force to remain in Afghanistan past the end of the year.
“As an independent country, based on our national interests, we signed this agreement for stability, goodwill, and prosperity of our people, stability of the region and the world,” Ghani said in a speech after the signing.
Afghan Government Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, who has assumed a post akin to prime minister after signing a power-sharing agreement with Ghani Ahmadzai, also welcomed the security deal.
“It has been signed after very careful considerations,” he said, adding that “the BSA is not a threat to our neighbors. It will help strengthen peace and stability in the region.”
The BSA allows for 9,800 U.S. troops to stay in the country past 2014 to help train, equip and advise Afghan military and police forces. It comes as Taliban insurgents are increasing their attacks in an effort to regain control as most foreign troops prepare to leave by the end of the year.
Ghani’s predecessor, Hamid Karzai, who had presided over the country since shortly after the Taliban was driven from power in 2001, had refused to sign the BSA citing his anger over civilian deaths and his belief that the war was not fought in the interests of his country, souring relations with Washington.
U.S. officials applauded the BSA as a new chapter in US-Afghanistan relations. Secretary of State John F. Kerry, who played a key role in brokering the new unity government, said in a statement that the Afghan people “are determined to choose unity over division.”
“This is a beginning not an ending, and with all beginnings the toughest decisions are still ahead,” he said. “As Afghanistan enters this new chapter in its history, the United States looks forward to deepening its enduring partnership with a sovereign, unified and democratic Afghanistan.”
At a news conference after the ceremony, Podesta called the inauguration “a momentous day for the Afghan people” and said Ghani and Abdullah are “seasoned leaders” with the “will and capacity to work together.” He played down the disputes that unfolded the night before the inauguration.
President Barack Obama hailed what he called a “historic day in the U.S.-Afghan partnership that will help advance our shared interests and the long-term security of Afghanistan,” according to a White House statement.
“We remain committed to help finance the Afghan security forces through 2017, to help Afghanistan to further strengthen its institutions, and to further develop our political and practical cooperation with Afghanistan,” NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in a statement.
In his address, Ghani called upon the Taliban and another armed faction, Hezb-i-Islami, to enter “a political negotiation” with the new government, saying that “we are tired of fighting and our message is peace, but this does not mean we are weak.”
A Taliban spokesman rejected the overture, saying the group does not recognize Ghani as the new president.
“The presidential inauguration has no meaning to the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” Zabiullah Mujahid, the spokesman, said in a phone interview, using the Taliban’s name for the country. “It is the project of the United States.”
Moreover, Taliban reacted angrily against signing BSA. Zabiullah Mujahid, denounced the security pact, declaring it an attempt by the United States to assert its authority over Afghanistan and its people.
“Under the cover of the Security Agreement America wants to occupy our land and nation, and make our people suffer,” Mujahid said in an e-mailed statement.
The Taliban, fighting to oust foreign forces and the US backed government, have taken advantage of the paralysis in Kabul to launch attacks in an attempt regain strategic territory in provinces such as Helmand in the south and Kunduz in the north.
However, now many Afghans and Western diplomats hope that the two can set aside their differences and address their nation’s numerous challenges, including rampant corruption, high unemployment and growing security threats.