Politics of Afghanistan
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In recent years the Politics of Afghanistan has been dominated by the 2001 U.S.-led invasion and the subsequent efforts to stablise and democratise the country. As of 2005 the system of government in Afghanistan is in transition. A new constitution has been adopted, and an executive president democratically elected, but no parliamentary elections have taken place.
The current president Hamid Karzai became the first ever democratically elected head of state in Afghanistan in late 2004. He now has begun the process of reconstruction. Still, the country lacks a legislature. Elections for this branch of government will be finished by mid 2005. The members of the Supreme Court was appointed recently by the president to form the judiciary. Together, this new system will provide a new set of checks and balances that was unheard of in the country. Also, the system is quite new, implementation of which began only 2004, just after decades of war between different factions and warlords, the remnants of which is almost non existent. Afghanistan political development may be, arguably, the fastest in recent history. The United Nations and other governments and organizations play a vital role rebuilding this new democracy's political environment.
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1.1 The Former Taliban Regime |
Historical background
The Former Taliban Regime
On September 27, 1996, the ruling members of the Afghan Government were displaced by members of the Islamic Taliban movement. The Taliban declared themselves the legitimate government of Afghanistan; however, the UN continued to recognize the government of Burhanuddin Rabbani.
The Organization of the Islamic Conference left the Afghan seat vacant until the question of legitimacy could be resolved through negotiations among the warring factions.
By the time of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan after the September 11 terrorist attacks only Pakistan recognized the Taliban government, though Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates had in the past.
The Taliban occupied 95% of the territory, called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The remaining 5% belonged to the rebel forces constituting the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, which the United Nations had recognized as the official government in exile.
U.S.-led Invasion
After the Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden to the US for his suspected involvement in the 11 September 2001 terrorist attacks in the US, a US-led international coalition was formed; after several weeks of aerial bombardment by coalition forces and military action on the ground, including Afghan opposition forces, the Taliban was ousted from power on 17 November 2001.
Bonn Agreement
In December 2001, a number of prominent Afghans met under UN auspices in Bonn, Germany, to decide on a plan for governing the country; as a result, the Afghan Interim Authority (AIA) - made up of 30 members, headed by a chairman - was inaugurated on 22 December 2001 with a six-month mandate to be followed by a two-year Transitional Authority (TA), after which elections are to be held. Some provisions in the agreement have expired, due to the creation of the constitution. Still, the agreement paved the way for the creation of a democratic Afghanistan.
Approval by the Loya Jirga
The structure of the Transitional Authority was announced on 10 June 2002, when the Loya Jirga (Grand Assembly) convened establishing the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA), which has 18 months to hold a constitutional Loya Jirga to adopt a constitution and 24 months to hold nationwide elections. The Loya Jirga was replaced by the National Assembly.
Miscellaneous
Political Statistics
Country names:
- conventional long form: Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
- conventional short form: Afghanistan
- local long form: Dowlat-e Eslami-ye Afghanestan
- local short form: Afghanestan
Former names:
- Kingdom of Afghanistan
- Republic of Afghanistan
- Democratic Republic of Afghanistan
- Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
- Transitional State of Afghanistan
ISO 3166-1 country code: AF
Government type: democratic republic
Capital: Kabul
Administrative divisions: See Provinces of Afghanistan
Elections
Presidential elections were held on October 9, 2004. The winner was Hamid Karzai. Parliamentary elections are to be held separately in September 2005.
Election Results
- Hamid Karzai (Independent): 55.4%
- Yunus Qanuni (National Liberation Front): 16.3%
- Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq (Independent): 11.7%
- Abdul Rashid Dostum (Independent): 10.0%
Legislative Branch
Non-functioning since June 1993. Elections to be held in April 2005.
Constitution
The Bonn Agreement called for a loya jirga to be convened. Said body ratified a constitution in early 2004.
Legal system and Judiciary
The Constitution of Afghanistan mandates a Supreme Court. Other minor courts were created too, such as high courts, appeals courts, and other district Courts.
Government
These are the ministers and other officials of the Afghan government. See also Ministry of Foreign Affairs (http://www.afghanistan-mfa.net))
- President H.E. Hamid Karzai
- Vice Presidents Mohammed Fahim, Karim Khalili, Nayiamatullah Shahrani, Hedayat Arsala
- Defense Minister Mohammed Fahim
- Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullah
- Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali
- Planning Minister Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq
- Finance Minister Dr. Ashraf Ghani
- Education Minister Yunus Qanuni
- Borders & Tribal Affairs Minister Arif Noorzai
- Reconstruction Minister Dr. M. Amin Farhang
- Mines and Industries Minister TBA
- Light Industries Minister Mohammad Alem Razm
- Women's Affairs Minister Ms. Habiba Sorabi
- Public Health Minister Dr. Sohaila Siddiqi
- Commerce Minister Sayed Mustafa Kazemi
- Agriculture Minister Sayed Hussain Anwari
- Justice Minister A. Rahim Karimi
- Communications Minister Masoom Stanakzai
- Refugees Affairs Minister Enayatullah Nazari
- Haj and Religious Affairs Minister M. Amin Naziryar
- Urban Affairs Minister Eng. Yusuf Pashtun
- Social Affairs Minister Noor Mohammad Karkin
- Water and Power Minister A. Shaker Kargar
- Irrigation and Environment Minister Dr. A. Yusuf Nuristani
- Martyrs and Disabled Minister Abdullah Wardak
- Higher Education Minister Dr. Sharif Fayez
- Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Mirwais Saddiq
- Transportation Minister S. Mohammad Ali Javed
- Rural Development Minister Hanif Atmar
- National Security Advisor Dr. Zalmai Rassoul
- Supreme Court Chief Justice Sheikh Hadi Shinwari
- Special Advisor on Security Yonus Qanooni
- Advisor on women's Affairs Mahbouba Hoqooqmal
- National Defense Commission Marshall M.Q. Fahim, Gen. Abdul wali, Mohammed karim khalili, Gen. Ismail Khan, Gen. Abdul Rashid Dostum, Gen. Sayed Hosain Anwari, Gen. Asef Delawar, Gen. Abdurrahim Wardak, Gov.Gulagha Sherzai, Gen. Bismella khan, Gen. Atiqulla Baryalai, Gen. Golzarak Zadran, Gov. Haji Din Mohammed, Gen. Atta Mohammed
- Constitution Review committee Prof. Nematollah Shahrani (Chairman), Prof. Abdussalam Azimi (Deputy Chairman), Prof. Mohammed Musa Marufi, Mohammed Musa Ashari, Dr. Mohammed Rahim Sherzoi, Mohammed Sarwar Danesh, Dr. Abdulhai Elahi, Mohammed Ashraf Rasuli, Abdulhagh Wala, Prof. Abdulaziz, Dr. Mohammed Tahir Burgi, Dr. Mohammed Yaqub Wahedi, Wakil Shamsoddin, Dr. Mohammed Alam Eshaqzai, Ghazi Mohammed Amin Weqad, Eng. Mohammed Ekram, Nadershah Nikyar, Likraj, Mrs. Parwin Mohmand, Mohammed Amin Ahmadi, Mir Mohammed Afzal Mirgazargah Sharif, Mrs. Fatima Gilani, Sulaiman Baloch, Mrs. Shokria Barekzai, Mrs. Sedigha Balkhi, Prof. Mohammed Hashem Kamali, Parwin ali Majruh, Eng. Merajuddin Hakema Mashal, Eng. Dawood Moosa, Naderali Mahdawi, Prof. Mohammed Tahir Hashimi, Mrs. Amena Afzali, Mohammed Siddigh Patman, Abdulhai khorasani, Dr. Mohammed Faruq (Secretary)
- Afghan Assistance Coordination Authority Commission Hamid Karzai, President, Hedayat Amin Arsala, Vice President, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai, Minister of Finance, Haji Mohammed Mohaqeq, Minister of Planning, Mir Mohammed Amin Farhang, Minister of Reconstruction, Hanif Atmar, Minister of Rural Dev., Yusof Nooristani, Minister of Water Sources Environment, Abdullah Ali, Minister of Public Works, Mohammed Yusoof Pashtoon, Minister of Urban Dev., Massum Stanakzai, Minister of Telecommunication, Minister of Mines & Industry, TBA, Zalmai Rassoul, NSC Advisor, Anwarulhaq Ahadi, President Central Bank, Mohammed Yusof Etebar, Dir. State Admin. Affairs, Said Tayeb Jawad, Chief - of - Staff
Political Parties and Leaders
NA; note - political parties in Afghanistan are in flux and many prominent players have plans to create new parties; the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) is headed by President Hamid KARZAI; the TISA is a coalition government formed of leaders from across the Afghan political spectrum; there are also several political factions not holding positions in the Transitional government that are forming new groups and parties in the hopes of participating in 2004 elections
- Afghan Mellat Party (Afghan Social Democratic Party) based in Peshawar, Pakistan (leader: Shams ul Huda Shams
- Harakat-i-Islami (Islamic Movement) Mohammed Asif Mohseni
- Harakat-Inqilab-i-Islami (Islamic Revolutionary Movement) Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi
- Hezbi Islami-Gulbuddin (Islamic Party) Gulbuddin Hikmatyar
- Hezbi Islami-Khalis (Islamic Party) Yunis Khalis
- Hizb-e-Wahdat (Hizbi Wahdat)-Akbari faction (Islamic Unity Party) Mohammad Akbar Akbari
- Ittihad-i-Islami Barai Azadi Afghanistan (Islamic Union for the Liberation of Afghanistan) Abdul Rasul Sayyaf
- Jabha-i-Najat-i-Milli Afghanistan (Afghanistan National Liberation Front) Sibghatullah Mojaddedi
- Mahaz-i-Milli-Islami (National Islamic Front) Sayed Ahamad Gailani
- Taliban (Religious Students Movement) Mohammad Omar
- United Islamic Front for the Salvation of Afghanistan, comprised of:
- Jumbesh-i-Melli Islami (National Islamic Movement) Abdul Rashid Dostam
- Jamiat-i-Islami (Islamic Society) Burhanuddin Rabbani and Ahmed Shah Massoud (died in Sep 2001)
- Hizb-e-Wahdat (Hizbi Wahdat) -Khalili faction (Islamic Unity Party) Abd ul-Karim Khalili
Political pressure groups and leaders
NA; note - ministries formed under the Transitional Islamic State of Afghanistan (TISA) include former influential Afghans, diaspora members, and former political leaders
- Afghan refugees in Pakistan, Australia, the United States, and elsewhere have organized politically
- Pakistan-based groups such as the Coordination Council for National
Unity and Understanding in Afghanistan or CUNUA (leader Ishaq Gailani
- Tribal leader represent traditional Pashtun leadership
- Writers Union of Free Afghanistan or WUFA [Rasul Amin]
International organization participation
AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO
External Links
- Election results (http://www.ifes.org/eguide/resultsum/afghan_pres04.htm)
- Afghan Voice.com (http://www.afghanvoice.com/) claims to be "an independent and neutral entity that represents the voice of all Afghans and is not associated with any particular group or political party." It seems to emphasize chat rooms and message boards, with links to headlines and Internet radio reports.
- Afghanistan News.net (http://afghanistannews.net/) has good links to headlines and news sources, although it's not clear who's running the site, or why: "Afghanistan News.net does not operate in Afghanistan nor does it have any ties there. It is part of a Worldwide network of News.net online news services established to provide visitors with updating news and information about every country and key city throughout Asia," the site says. Domain name registered to Independent Press, Inc., of Roy, Utah, and admin/technical contact works for "Vanilla Limited" of the United Arab Emirates.
- Afghanistan Online (http://www.afghan-web.com/) says it is "a privately owned, independent web site that provides updated news and information on Afghanistan," with a mailing address in Pleasanton, CA. Its Afghan Online Press (http://www.aopnews.com/) compiles news articles from other sources.
- Afghanistan Reconstruction (http://www.developmentgateway.org/node/134111/), featuring documents on development and technology, is part of the Development Gateway (http://www.developmentgateway.org) website. The DG Foundation, which runs the site, "is a not-for-profit organization currently based in Washington DC. Its mission is to reduce poverty and support sustainable development through the use of information and communication technologies (ICT)."
- The CIA's World Factbook entry on Afghanistan (http://www.odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/af.html) was the basis for most of earlier versions of this article.
- Islamic Transitional State of Afghanistan (http://www.afghanistangov.org/) website appears to be run by the United Nations Development Programme (its "About Us" link doesn't work but a UNDP email address is mentioned). It includes budget documents and links to website sections for various Afghan government and UN agencies.
- Library of Congress Selected Internet Resources on Afghanistan (http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/international/amed/afghanistan/afghanistan.html) provides links to various sites and documents, including a country study of Afghanistan (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/aftoc.html), which covers events up to 1995.
- ReliefWeb's Afghanistan section (http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf/ByCountry/Afghanistan?OpenDocument&StartKey=Afghanistan&Expandview) includes news and NGO reports on the Afghan situation. "ReliefWeb is a project of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)," according to the site's homepage (http://www.reliefweb.int).
- United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (http://www.unama-afg.org/) was established in March 2003 "in an effort to integrate all UN activities in Afghanistan. There are some 16 UN agencies in the country working together with their Afghan government counterparts and with national and international NGO partners," the site indicates. The links (http://www.unama-afg.org/links/index.html) page is extensive, mainly listing sites of other UN agencies.
- U.S. State Department's Background Note on Afghanistan (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5380.htm), besides the requisite statistics, includes detailed summaries of country's history, economics, government and foreign relations.es:Gobierno y política de Afganistán