Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and his political rival Dr Abdullah Abdullah signed a power-sharing deal after months of political conflict over the results of the controversial elections held in September.
Both the leaders had been under international pressure to agree to an inclusive government and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in his surprise visit to Kabul in March had announced a cut of one billion dollars after the leaders refused to end the political impasse.
Pompeo welcomed the agreement in a Twitter post.
“Glad to hear from @ashrafghani and @DrabdullahCE about their agreement on inclusive governance. We welcome their commitment to act now for peace in Afghanistan,” he said.
Abdullah, who had declared himself as the president after Ghani was declared as winner of the presidential election, inked the agreement at the presidential palace.
Former president Hamid Karzai joined several other senior political leaders to witness signing of the deal.
Abdullah will head the High Council of National Reconciliation (HCNR) that will lead the peace process.
The High Council of National Reconciliation is established based on the political agreement between sides, according to text of the agreement Tolo TV posted online.
Uzbek leader Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, the former vice president, will be given the marshal rank in a presidential decree and meanwhile, he will have membership in the High Council of Government and the National Security Council.
There had been lots of criticism at the title of marshal to Dostam when it was reported first. Dostam, who has been accused of right violations and sexual harassment of his opponent, supported Abdullah in the presidential election. Abdullah and Ghani will introduce 50 percent each of the cabinet including key ministries and provincial governors based on a rule agreed upon by the two sides.
The HCNR will create national, regional and international consensus on peace affairs and will attract international assistance and support for better conducting of peace affairs and will also attract international assistance for post-peace reconstruction efforts. Abdullah will not have any key role like the office of the chief executive he had in the former government. His role is likely to be limited to the reconciliation process.
Taliban political spokesman Suhail Shaheen evaded comments when a query was posted on his WhatsApp number. Abdullah later said the agreement signed on Sunday is not a privilege or a handout but it is rooted in the last election and every clean vote. “It comes at a very difficult time when we face serious threats. It’s meant to ensure a path to peace, improve governance, protect rights, respect laws & values,” he said in a series of tweets.
“As we commit to form a more inclusive, accountable& competent administration, we are also reminded of the hard lessons to respect laws, fight the Coronavirus, fraud, injustice & corruption. We now need to come together as a nation, strive to seek solutions that are practical,” Abdullah said. US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, who had urging both sides to end confrontation, welcomed what he called the compromise and wished the new government success.
“The US is prepared to partner with the new govt in a peace process that ends the war. That process must be based on timely implementation of commitments made to date. Both leaders should not repeat mistakes in governing that existed under NUG, as Afghans negotiated this govt,” Khalilzad tweeted. He said it is high time to take seriously the resolve of the Afghan people, and the world, to finally see an end to this conflict, urging Abdullah to move forward with full speed and urgency, and be sincerely supported therein by the current Afghan government. Pakistan on Sunday welcomed the signing of the agreement between political leaders regarding formation of inclusive government and High Council of National Reconciliation.
“At this critical juncture, it is vitally important that all Afghan leaders work together constructively in the supreme interest of the Afghan people and help bring lasting peace and stability to the country affected by decades of violence and conflict,” Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said.
“This is imperative also for being able to effectively respond to the formidable challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic,” she said in a statement. She said the US-Taliban Peace Agreement has created a historic opportunity, which must be seized by all Afghan stakeholders to advance the goals of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. “It is critical that the Intra-Afghan negotiations commence at the earliest, culminating in a comprehensive and inclusive political settlement in Afghanistan.” The Pakistani spokesperson urged all Afghan parties to honour their respective commitments, work with perseverance and sense of common purpose, and also guard against the machinations of any spoilers, from within and without. “While reaffirming our abiding solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, Pakistan reiterates its commitment to continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and its neighbours,” she said.
