Political tension and rifts between high level  government officials dramatically increased in Afghanistan in 1396 – a situation that many claim has hindered progress of many key projects. 

Among these projects, critics claims, was the roll out of the Electronic Identity Cards (e-NIC) system, which impacted Afghanistan’s parliamentary and district council elections. 

During this year, political and party polarization was seen as having been on the rise and tensions between the presidential palace (ARG) and Atta Mohammad Noor, the ousted governor of Northern Balkh province, even led to a war of words. 

Despite being in office for three years, the National Unity Government (NUG), under President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah, has also failed to fill all vacant cabinet posts.

“To a large extent, the responsibility of not implementing  the agreement between the leaders goes to Mr. Ghani rather than Mr. Abdullah,” said Anwarul Haq Ahadi, chairman of the New National Front party of Afghanistan. 

Tension between Noor, the presidential palace and Abdullah was a major issue in 1396 – a rift that is still in place despite ongoing talks between the affected parties. 

The problem arose after the presidential palace announced in a statement that Ghani had accepted the resignation of Noor as governor of Balkh province. Noor responded by saying his letter had been issued months earlier and was no longer valid. 

“Non-implementation of the political agreement on the formation of the national unity government marked the beginning of major disagreements,” said Mohammad Natiqi, chairman of the NUG political agreement oversight committee.

Another rift that developed during 1396 was that between the presidential palace and the first vice president general Abdul Rashid Dostum – who has been living in Turkey for months.  

“These differences of opinions are indicators of freedom of speech in Afghanistan and the political freedom in our country and we welcome them,” said Ghani’s spokesman Shahhussain Murtazawi.

But when it comes to the peace process, Afghanistan witnessed a major breakthrough in this sphere after government sealed a peace accord with Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, the leader of Hizb-e-Islami. Gulbuddin joined the peace process after 22 years of war. During this year, Ghani also made a peace offer to the Taliban which has garnered major international support. 

But, the Taliban so far has not responded to Ghani’s peace offer.