Keeping faith

The new government must fulfill Afghanistan’s need for a participative democracy.
Elections have been successfully held, and one of the two candidates in the runoff will be sworn in as president. Will he chart a course

The new government must fulfill Afghanistan’s need for a participative democracy.
Elections have been successfully held, and one of the two candidates in the runoff will be sworn in as president. Will he chart a course different to outgoing President Hamid Karzai?
The president chose expediency over record of good governance in choosing his cabinet members. Yet his list of achievements are significant considering he had inherited a country destroyed by war. With the assistance of foreign troops and billions in military and development assistance he ensured the integrity of the country, and made impressive strides in education including higher education, health care, media, human rights to build an independent civil society.
His critics blame him for choosing expediency over stern action against the rampant administrative corruption, and breaking of laws by members of his own government. Had the government appointed individuals with a proven record of efficiency the country may not have earned a bad name for corruption and narcotics production.
Can we expect change from the new government?
Looking at the composition of the electoral teams of the two candidates – Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani – they may have focused more on winning the election than thinking about installing a strong and capable government. Had the country’s interests been paramount they may have enlisted new faces in their teams instead of promising privileges to tribal chiefs, political leaders and heavyweights in the outgoing government.
How can the winning candidate solve the country’s problems when he is dependent on people who are accused of being involved in illegal activities in the Karzai government? The new government would be in the hands of mafia and status quo would be maintained for five more years.
It is high time that merit decides appointments to high government positions. With the huge cutbacks in international assistance as their combat forces pull out, only the most suitable would be able to steer the country towards a better future.
What of the voter? While some say they participated in the election because they believe in a peaceful transition, others say there was no ideal candidate yet they are hopeful the winner will honour their faith in democracy.