Afghanistan power-sharing deal struck
- 10 years ago
The bitter dispute over Afghanistan’s presidential election is expected to be settled on Sunday (21 September) with the announcement of the final results.
A signing ceremony on the formation of a unity government is also set to be held in Kabul.
The two main candidates, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, both accused the other of electoral fraud after June’s presidential run-off vote.
But aides on both sides say a power-sharing deal was struck on Saturday (20 September).
It came after all eight million ballots cast in the run-off vote were recounted in a UN-monitored audit.
It is understood that Ghani, a former finance minister and World Bank official, is likely to become the new president.
Abdullah, a former foreign minister, appears set to either hold the position of – or have the authority to nominate – a chief executive with expanded powers.
The formation of a unity government will potentially ease months of tension, which have destabilised Afghanistan while foreign troops have been withdrawing.
The row also killed hopes of a smooth transition from Hamid Karzai, who has ruled since soon after the Taliban were ousted in 2001.
A signing ceremony on the formation of a unity government is also set to be held in Kabul.
The two main candidates, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, both accused the other of electoral fraud after June’s presidential run-off vote.
But aides on both sides say a power-sharing deal was struck on Saturday (20 September).
It came after all eight million ballots cast in the run-off vote were recounted in a UN-monitored audit.
It is understood that Ghani, a former finance minister and World Bank official, is likely to become the new president.
Abdullah, a former foreign minister, appears set to either hold the position of – or have the authority to nominate – a chief executive with expanded powers.
The formation of a unity government will potentially ease months of tension, which have destabilised Afghanistan while foreign troops have been withdrawing.
The row also killed hopes of a smooth transition from Hamid Karzai, who has ruled since soon after the Taliban were ousted in 2001.