A disputed campaign, a disputed election, and a disputed count has left Afghanistan’s two presidential front-runners, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, both declaring victory. That’s roughly what happened in the last election, but then the US brokered a power-sharing deal.
No power-sharing deal is in the works this time, so both Ghani and Abdullah are just moving forward on taking office – the same office to be clear. Both are scheduling an inauguration for Monday.
Both sides issued roughly identical statements on their inaugurations, which will be on the same day and for the same office. It is not clear who will be attending these, or what that means for recognition of either president.
With the Taliban peace deal reached, it’s going to be a challenge to see who will enter into rapprochement talks with them as well. Getting the Taliban’s recognition might ultimately be the biggest deal for both sides, since the foreign forces are on their way out the door.
Ghani and Abdullah will have a Government each and then with the Taliban there will be three Governments in Afghanistan. If the US stays as seems likely there will be FOUR. I wonder who will survive?
The more the merrier. Don’t you think the US has done a great job of bringing enlightened western values to the Afghans. 🙂
If we leave completely there will only be one government and that will be under Taliban rule. It’s inevitable.
Not only is it not inevitable, it’s vanishingly unlikely.
Why?