Afghan election: Ghani and Abdullah form unity government
Ashraf Ghani becomes president of Afghanistan five months after first votes were cast
Three months of political deadlock have come to an end in Afghanistan after Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah signed a power-sharing agreement negotiated by the United States.
Ghani will become president of the country and Abdullah will work as chief executive, effectively having the powers of a prime minister, and will be responsible for the day to day running of the country.
The two opponents had been involved in a bitter battle over disputed run-off results in this year's presidential election that threatened to create a sectarian divide within the country. Ghani support is largely Pashtun and Abdullah has the backing of the Tajik population.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Ghani, a former finance minister and World Bank official and his opponent Abdullah, a former foreign minister, sealed the deal with a handshake and an embrace.
A formal inauguration ceremony is expected to take place within the next week and will mark the first transfer of power in ten years as President Hamid Karzai steps down.
"This agreement marks an important opportunity for unity and increased stability in Afghanistan," the White House said in a statement. "We continue to call on all Afghans — including political, religious, and civil society leaders — to support this agreement and to come together in calling for cooperation and calm."
However, not everyone is as optimistic. "They have created a fabricated national unity government, and I don’t think such a government can last," Wadir Safi, a political analyst at Kabul University, told the New York Times.
Both Ghani and Abdullah now face many challenges including a strengthening Taliban, overwhelmed security forces, the withdrawal of Nato troops, a weak economy and high unemployment.
The deal has been described as a major victory for US Secretary of State John Kerry, who brokered the talks and got the two sides to agree to the idea of a power-sharing deal in July. The US is now waiting to see whether Ghani will uphold his pledge to sign a bilateral security agreement which would allow some US troops to remain in the country after their combat mission comes to an end this year.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The history of Donald Trump's election conspiracy theories
The Explainer How the 2024 Republican nominee has consistently stoked baseless fears of a stolen election
By David Faris Published
-
Two ancient cities have been discovered along the Silk Road
Under the radar The discovery changed what was known about the old trade route
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
'People shouldn't have to share the road with impaired drivers'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published