With every passing day the differences between the two presidential rivals – doctors Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai – are only getting sharper. The complex situation is getting more complicated with evidence of behind the scenes financial and political jostling by supporters.
From reading between the lines it seems both candidates are being held to promises by supporters.
Last week, Ashraf Ghani’s spokesperson Taher Zaheer alleged that some members of Dr Abdullah’s team were a spoke in the wheel of a possible agreement between the two candidates by demanding benefits from the latter that he had promised during his election campaign.
Meanwhile, Fazel Sangcharaki, Abdullah’s spokesperson, claimed elements in Ashraf Ghani’s camp were fanning tribal, linguistic and provincial differences between the two candidates in order to stoke the verbal vitriol.
Cracks appeared in Abdullah’s Reforms and Unanimity team: Governor of Balkh Atta Mohammad Noor challenged the assumption that all Tajiks can be represented by the representative from Panjsher (read Abdullah); also Abdullah’s deputy Mohammad Mohaqeq staked claim to the post of chief executive for harvesting all the Hazara votes for Abdullah.
This was not all. Gul Agha Sherzoy bid for a “good position” in the proposed national unity government from Abdullah.
The statements have been confirmed by Killid’s sources who did not want to be named, and also political observers.
Ali Sina, a journalist and civil society activist, observes: “The main challenge for both candidates is to satisfy elements within their teams – the consultations between them are over division of power, seats and positions for their subordinates, and not for the sake of national interest.”
Wary public
The public is watching with increasing frustration the fanning of the dispute. Political instability has emboldened the Taleban, and worsened security.
Women’s activist Amena Muradi believes tensions are reaching breaking point. “Some of the statements released by supporters of the two candidates are intended to fan electoral tensions,” he says. She points to the statement from the governor of Balkh as an example.
Ghani camp spokesman Faizullah Zaki has criticised the governor’s call for “protests” – “green and yellow” revolution. “Calling for a green and yellow revolution is easy but its management is a difficult task. There is no guarantee that the green and yellow revolution would not be changed to a red revolution and lead to the shedding of blood, and mourning in Afghanistan.”
The Independent Election Commission has said 90 percent of ballots cast in the runoff poll have been audited.
Sidiq Ansari of the Afghanistan Civil Society Association has called on the UN and the Independent Election Commission to declare results from the June presidential runoff election without further delay.
General Zalmai Wardak, a member of the association, urged Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah not to sacrifice national interests for their personal interests. Recalling the many sacrifices made by people including the nearly 2 million “martyrs”, Najibullah Mujahed another association member said, “Our fingers are cut; we gave two millions martyrs; we buy one kg gas for 140 Afs (nearly 3 USD) – all this so Dr Abdullah or Dr Ashraf should become president. We have accepted all the risks for the sake of national interest.”
A smooth transfer of power from President Hamid Karzai to his successor is also in the interests of the international community.
At the meeting of NATO leaders in Wales, Afghanistan has been represented by Defence Minister Bismillah Mohammadi. Karzai’s successor was scheduled to have been present at the meeting that will discuss NATO commitment to Afghanistan after the pullout of ISAF.
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