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تصویر بندانگشتی

New MoFA Appointment Defies NUG Agreement: Abdullah’s Office

The appointment of the new acting minister of foreign affairs is a violation of the political agreement of the establishment of National Unity Government (NUG), the office of Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said on Wednesday, days after President Ashraf Ghani appointed Haroon Chakhansuri as the new political deputy and the acting foreign minister.

Based on the NUG’s political agreement, the appointment of the minister of foreign affairs was the authority of the chief executive officer, while the Presidential Palace had the authority to appoint the deputy minister of foreign affairs for political affairs.

“The president doesn’t have the right to make unnecessary appointments until the result of the elections come in, because they signed an agreement,” said Latif Zhuwandai, a senator.

“The president will not lose anything if he invites Dr. Abdullah and other leaders and politicians to work together and outline an strategy for peace and address the issue of appointments and reshuffling,” said Ibrarullah Murad, a member of the Afghan parliament.

Previously, Abdullah said that he will make similar decisions and will announce some new appointments.

“We are doing this to protect the system, we do it for the sake of stability. If it doesn’t suit their mood and if they make other excuses, this is their own problem, they should see the outcome of their actions,” said Abdullah last month, referring to appointments by the Presidential Palace.

In response, the Presidential Palace has said that based on the law, the appointments are among the authorities of the president.

Meanwhile, a number of Afghan lawmakers in the parliament have said that tensions between the two sides weren’t in the interests of the country in view of the current situation.

“The appointment of the deputy foreign minister is normally related to the president's team, and they had introduced someone in the past, but the appointment of the minister (Foreign Minister) is related to us,” Said Mujiburrahman Rahimi, spokesman for Abdullah.

Similar issues have previously incited conflicts between the two leaders of the government, with both sides accusing each other violating the NUG agreement.

Sources meanwhile have said that Abdullah is assessing the decision to make similar appointments.

Also Abdullah recently criticized political rivals of ordering the VIP protection unit to stop providing security coverage to Abdullah’s programs, including at a recent meeting in Kabul where Abdullah was invited to give an address.

“Officials of VIP units were told they should not provide security to the Loya Jirga tent,” said Abdullah last week.

The VIP unit is a special force operating under the Ministry of Interior for the protection of high profile government officials or VIPs.

On Wednesday, President Ghani announced the appointment of Mohammad Yama Shams, the new acting minister of transport. Shams previously worked as head of the Afghanistan railway authority.

New MoFA Appointment Defies NUG Agreement: Abdullah’s Office

Previously, Abdullah said that he will make similar decisions and will announce some new appointments.

تصویر بندانگشتی

The appointment of the new acting minister of foreign affairs is a violation of the political agreement of the establishment of National Unity Government (NUG), the office of Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said on Wednesday, days after President Ashraf Ghani appointed Haroon Chakhansuri as the new political deputy and the acting foreign minister.

Based on the NUG’s political agreement, the appointment of the minister of foreign affairs was the authority of the chief executive officer, while the Presidential Palace had the authority to appoint the deputy minister of foreign affairs for political affairs.

“The president doesn’t have the right to make unnecessary appointments until the result of the elections come in, because they signed an agreement,” said Latif Zhuwandai, a senator.

“The president will not lose anything if he invites Dr. Abdullah and other leaders and politicians to work together and outline an strategy for peace and address the issue of appointments and reshuffling,” said Ibrarullah Murad, a member of the Afghan parliament.

Previously, Abdullah said that he will make similar decisions and will announce some new appointments.

“We are doing this to protect the system, we do it for the sake of stability. If it doesn’t suit their mood and if they make other excuses, this is their own problem, they should see the outcome of their actions,” said Abdullah last month, referring to appointments by the Presidential Palace.

In response, the Presidential Palace has said that based on the law, the appointments are among the authorities of the president.

Meanwhile, a number of Afghan lawmakers in the parliament have said that tensions between the two sides weren’t in the interests of the country in view of the current situation.

“The appointment of the deputy foreign minister is normally related to the president's team, and they had introduced someone in the past, but the appointment of the minister (Foreign Minister) is related to us,” Said Mujiburrahman Rahimi, spokesman for Abdullah.

Similar issues have previously incited conflicts between the two leaders of the government, with both sides accusing each other violating the NUG agreement.

Sources meanwhile have said that Abdullah is assessing the decision to make similar appointments.

Also Abdullah recently criticized political rivals of ordering the VIP protection unit to stop providing security coverage to Abdullah’s programs, including at a recent meeting in Kabul where Abdullah was invited to give an address.

“Officials of VIP units were told they should not provide security to the Loya Jirga tent,” said Abdullah last week.

The VIP unit is a special force operating under the Ministry of Interior for the protection of high profile government officials or VIPs.

On Wednesday, President Ghani announced the appointment of Mohammad Yama Shams, the new acting minister of transport. Shams previously worked as head of the Afghanistan railway authority.

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