Afghanistan: Abdullah rejects Ashraf Ghani's offer of power-sharing deal

Before Afghanistan's ex-chief executive Abdullah Abdullah held a parallel inauguration declaring himself President, he was reportedly offered a power-sharing deal. According to a local Afghan media outlet, Ashraf Ghani h offered Abdullah 40 per cent of his cabinet and a role overseeing peace negotiations with Taliban. However, Abdullah demanded top job as he alrey enjoys strong support from Jamiat, one of country's largest parties with a strong base in rth. 

On March 9, Ghani and Abdullah appointed mselves as president. While Ghani took oath in presence of American and UN diplomats, Abdullah, on or hand, held his own swearing-in ceremony. While speaking to an international media outlet, US and Western diplomats also said that an arrangement will have to brokered between two before both start appointing ir ministers. 

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month-long political crisis in Afghanistan seems to be worsening with two power centres in country. Abdullah’s separate claim to power has also created a fear of Taliban gaining ground in a political vacuum, especially when US forces have signed a deal to withdraw grually. Last month, Independent Election Commission (IEC) declared incumbent Ghani as winner of presidential elections - with Ghani securing 50.64 per cent of total votes polled, estimated as more than 1.8 million, and Abdullah got 39.52 per cent of votes. 

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'Fake and std'

Taliban has reportedly deunced results calling election 'fake and std'. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson of Taliban, said in a statement that it rejects 'meaningless appointment' and considers it a failed effort at 'throwing dust' in eyes of nation. This development comes amid break down of peace accord signed by Taliban with United States that laid out conditions-based path to full withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan over course of 14 months. 

political climate of Afghanistan currently looks grim as Defence Minister has threatened Taliban of starting attack if y don’t stop violence within a week. Defence Minister Asullah Khalid said in a statement that Afghan forces will remain in defence mode until end of this week because of peace agreement. But Khalid warned that Afghan troops will 'target enemy everywhere' if Taliban do t stop attacks by end of week. 

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