Six months of a political impasse finally came to an end when Afghanistan’s rival presidential candidates signed an agreement to pave the way for a new government.
Under the four-page agreement, Ashraf Gani Ahmadzai, who won the most number of votes, will become president and issue a decree appointing runner-up Abdullah Abdullah as chief executive officer. Following a meeting of tribal elders and constitutional changes, Abdullah will eventually become prime minister.
The deal cements the nation’s first transfer of power since the Taliban’s ouster in 2001.
Both candidates have agreed to sign the Bilateral Security Agreement with the United States, which is crucial to fighting Taliban insurgents and allowing businesses seeking to tap mineral resources estimated at $3 trillion (Dh11.01 trillion). Washington has been waiting for a successor of president Hamid Karzai to sign a security pact that would allow American troops to stay in the country and unlock billions of dollars in aid for the government as it fights insurgents.
Despite the deal, the two campaigns still disagree on much, leading to fears that they will not be able to maintain the union for long.
The new administration carries on its shoulders the responsibility of building a nation that has been fraught with violence. It requires tremendous cooperation and a vision to lift the population from the morass of poverty, illiteracy and bloodshed.
For many of the millions of Afghans who voted in the original April 6 election, and then in the runoff election on June 14, the fight for democracy came at a great cost.
They risked their lives to vote and will now look to the government to deliver the goods.
The fingers of 11 men were amputated as punishment by the Taliban for casting their votes in the elections. It is common men like these who will now be hoping that the government can deliver on their promises and ensure that peace and stability are not just catchwords, but deliverables that they will fight for. The spotlight will also be on the international community on whom the new government will rely for aid to see it through the first few challenging years.
