KABUL - Political experts doubt the creation of the prime ministerial position, asking the ruling coalition partners to resolve their differences and thereby preclude the possibility of foreign interference in Afghanistan’s affairs.
US Secretary of State John Kerry, during a surprise visit to Kabul on Sunday, said the unity government would complete its five-year term as the political agreement signed between President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah did not set an expiry date.
Under the agreement, a Loya Jirga, or grand assembly of tribal elders, was expected to convene to amend the constitution within two years of the September 2014 election, allowing Abdullah to take the post of prime minister.
One political commentator Farooq Bashar, a lecturer at the Kabul University, told Pajhwok Afghan News differences between government leaders had led to non-implementation of some key provisions of the power-sharing pact.
Wolesi Jirga and district council elections had been elusive over the past two years because of sharp disagreements between the coalition partners. There was no sign yet of the electoral reform programme being implemented, Bashar pointed out.
But he said there was no alternative but to hold the elections and put an end to the illegal government. “The US understands amending the constitution is not possible under the current circumstances. It, therefore, has extended the government tenure to five years.”
SeddiqPatman, another political analyst, said: “Kerry’s his remarks that the proposed Loya Jirga cannot shorten the government’s tenure amount to direct interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. The government, by holding the Loya Jirga, cannot earn legality.”
He claimed Kerry’s trip to Kabul was not meant to clarify the agreement; it was aimed to strike a patch-up between the two leaders. The accord on creating the CEO slot and the agreement for a period of five years were already known, he said.
“Our people have no option but to suffer three more years of misery due to the inefficiency of government leaders,” Patman observed, blaming the coalition leaders for their inability to deal with major problems facing the country.
The Afghanistan Protection and Stability Council (APSC) spokesman, Sangar Amirzada, also slammed the current government as illegitimate. He insisted resolution of differences between Afghan leaders by the US was also illegal.
“Foreigners making decision on the future of an independent country is an absolute no-no; we will never accept foreign dictates. The government leaders should talk out their rifts and spend the remaining three years forging better coordination and cooperation,” he concluded. (Pajhwok)