KABUL : Afghan President Ashraf Ghani marked his first 100 days in power today, still struggling to form a government as a new political stalemate threatens to fuel the Taliban insurgency.
The deadlock over senior cabinet positions has underlined the challenges of running a “unity government”, which was formed after an election mired by fraud and disputed results.
Ghani was eventually inaugurated on September 29 after agreeing to a power-sharing deal with his poll rival Abdullah Abdullah, who was appointed “chief executive” — a new role similar to prime minister.
The deal was seen as saving Afghanistan from the risk of imminent civil war, but it was soon bogged down in disagreements over which side’s loyalists would take key roles such as interior and defence minister.
Ghani has repeatedly missed his own deadlines on forming the government and asked Afghans to show patience.
The political vacuum comes at a sensitive time as Taliban insurgents push to exploit the end of NATO’s combat mission on December 31 after 13 years of fighting.
About 17,000 foreign troops will remain in Afghanistan this year, focusing on training the Afghan security forces and conducting a limited counter-terrorism mission.
Essential aid money from donor nations could also be held up if no government is formed.
“The delay has emboldened the enemy to step up attacks, and undermined the legitimacy of the unity government because security has deteriorated and the economy is down,” political analyst Mia Gul Waseeq told AFP.
“The international community wants an accountable and corruption-free cabinet.”(AGENCIES)
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