Politics of Afghanistan
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In recent years the politics of Afghanistan have been dominated by the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan by the United States and the United Kingdom and the subsequent efforts to stabilise and democratise the country. As of 2006 the system of government in Afghanistan is in transition. A new constitution has been adopted, and an executive president democratically elected, and parliamentary elections took place in September 2005.
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 were supposed to have finished by mid 2005. The members of the Supreme Court were 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 the warlords are almost non-existent. The United Nations and other governments and organizations play a vital role rebuilding this new democracy's political environment.
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[edit] Background
Politics in Afghanistan has historically consisted of power struggles, bloody coups and unstable transfers of power. With the exception of a military junta, the country has been governed by nearly every system of government over the past century, including a monarchy, republic, theocracy and communist state. The constitution ratified by the 2003 Loya jirga restructured the government as an Islamic republic consisting of three branches of power (executive, legislative, and judiciary) overseen by checks and balances.
Afghanistan is currently led by President Hamid Karzai, who was elected in October 2004. Before the election, Karzai led the country after being chosen by delegates of the Bonn Conference in 2001 to head an interim government after the fall of the Taliban. While supporters have praised Karzai's efforts to promote national reconciliation and a growing economy, critics charge him with failing to reign in the country's warlords, inability to stem corruption and the growing drug trade, and the slow pace of reconstruction.
The current parliament was elected in 2005. Among the elected officials were former mujahadeen, Taliban fighters, communists, reformists, and Islamic fundamentalists. Surprisingly, 28% of the delegates elected were women, 3% more than the 25% minimum guaranteed under the constitution. Ironically, this made Afghanistan, long known under the Taliban for its oppression of women, one of the leading countries in terms of female representation.
The Supreme Court of Afghanistan is currently led by Chief Justice Faisal Ahmad Shinwari. Dominated by fundamentalist religious figures, the court has issued numerous questionable rulings, such as banning cable television, seeking to ban a candidate in the 2004 presidential election for questioning polygamy laws, and limiting the rights of women, as well as overstepping its constitutional authority by issuing rulings on subjects not yet brought before the court. Though many believed that Karzai would make reforming the Supreme Court a priority of his administration, as of 2006 he has yet to do so.
- See also: Constitution of Afghanistan
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 officially ousted from power on 17 November 2001.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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 had 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.
[edit] Recent developments
Under the Bonn Agreement the Afghan Constitution Commission was established to consult with the public and formulate a draft constitution. The meeting of a constitutional loya jirga was held in December 2003, when a new constitution was adopted creating a presidential form of government with a bicameral legislature.
Troops and intelligence agencies from the United States and a number of other countries are present, some to support the government, others assigned to hunt for remnants of the Taliban and al Qaeda. A United Nations military force called the International Security Assistance Force has been operating in Kabul since December 2001. NATO took control of this Force on August 11, 2003. Some of the country remains under the control of warlords. [1]
On March 27, 2003, Afghan deputy defense minister and powerful warlord General Abdul Rashid Dostum created an office for the North Zone of Afghanistan and appointed officials to it, defying then-interim president Hamid Karzai's orders that there be no zones in Afghanistan.
Eurocorps took over the responsibility for the NATO-led ISAF in Kabul August 9, 2004.
National elections were held on October 9, 2004. Over 10 million Afghans were registered to vote. Most of the 17 candidates opposing Karzai boycotted the election, charging fraud;[2] an independent commission found evidence of fraud, but ruled that it did not affect the outcome of the poll. Karzai won 55.4% of the vote.[3] He was inaugurated as president on December 7. It was the country's first national election since 1969, when parliamentary elections were last held.
On September 18, 2005, parliamentary elections were held; the parliament opened on the following December 19. On December 20 Karzai's close ally and president of the first mujahideen government, Sibghatullah Mojadeddi, was picked to head the 102-seat upper house. On December 21, Yunus Qanuni, Afghan opposition leader and Karzai's main opponent was chosen to lead the 249-seat lower house of parliament with 122 votes against 117 for his closest challenger.
- See also: List of leaders of Afghanistan and List of Afghanistan Governors
[edit] Constitution
The Bonn Agreement called for a loya jirga to be convened. This body ratified the Constitution of Afghanistan in early 2004. It creates a strong Presidency and a bicameral legislative branch.
[edit] Executive branch
| Office | Name | Party | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| President of Afghanistan | Hamid Karzai | December 2004 | |
| Vice President | Ahmad Zia Massoud | ||
| Second Vice President | Karim Khalili | ||
| Senior Minister | Hedayat Amin Arsala | ||
| Foreign Minister | Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta | April 20, 2006 | |
| Defence Minister | General Abdurrahim Wardak | December 23, 2004 | |
| Interior Minister | Zarar Ahmad Moqbel | ||
| Planning Minister | Haji Mohammad Mohaqiq | ||
| Finance Minister | Professor Anwar-ul-Haq Ahadi | ||
| Education Minister | Mohamad Hanif Atmar | ||
| Borders & Tribal Affairs Minister | Abdul Karim Brahui | ||
| Economics Minister | Mohammad Jalil Shams | ||
| Mines and Industries Minister | Engineer Mir Mohmmad Sediq | ||
| Women's Affairs Minister | Dr. Masouda Jalal | ||
| Public Health Minister | Dr. Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatemi | ||
| Agriculture Minister | Obaidullah Ramin | ||
| Justice Minister | Sarwar Danish | ||
| Communications Minister | Engineer Amirzai Sangin | ||
| Information & Culture Minister | Dr. Said Makhdoom Rahin | ||
| Refugees Affairs Minister | Dr. Azam Dadfar | ||
| Haj and Religious Affairs Minister | Professor Nematullah Shahrani | ||
| Urban Affairs Minister | Eng. Yusuf Pashtun | ||
| Public Work Minister | Dr. Suhrab Ali Safari | ||
| Water and Power Minister | A. Shaker Kargar | ||
| Labor and Social Affairs Minister | Sayed Ekramuddin Masoomi | ||
| Energy Minister | General Mohammad Ismael | ||
| Martyrs and Disabled Minister | Sediqa Balkhi | ||
| Higher Education Minister | Sayed Amir Shah Hassanyar | ||
| Transportation Minister | Dr. Enayatullah Qasemi | ||
| Rural Development and Rehabilitation Minister | Hanif Atmar | ||
| Counter-Narcotics Minister | Habibullah Qader | January 2004 | |
| National Security Advisor | Dr. Zalmai Rassoul | ||
| Supreme Court Chief Justice | Sheikh Faisal Ahmad Shinwari |
See also:
[edit] Legislative branch
The 2005 Parliamentary Election for the Wolesi Jirga or House of the People were conducted on 18 September 2005. This was the first parliamentary election in Afghanistan since 1969. 2707 candidates, including 328 women, competed for 249 seats. The election was conducted with multiple seat electoral constituencies. Each province is a constituency and has a varying number of seats, depending on population. Voters have a single non-transferable vote. Provisional results are not expected until 10 October.
The Meshrano Jirga or House of the Elders will consist of an undetermined amount of members. One-third of the members will be appointed by the president, while another third will be elected by the provincial councils. Elections for the provincial councils were held simultaneously with those for the Wolesi Jirga. The remaining third is supposed to be elected by district councils. However, elections for the district councils have been postponed, meaning that one-third of the seats in the Meshrano Jirga will be vacant when it assembles.
Despite Taliban and other anti-government forces stating they intended to disrupt the elections the polling day went by with minimal violence, although a number of candidates were murdered before the election. Early reports indicated that turnout was down on the Presidential Election, but still high.
[edit] Political parties and elections
- For other political parties see List of political parties in Afghanistan. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Afghanistan.
[edit] 2005 Parliamentary election
Afghanistan held parliamentary elections on 18 September 2005. On 9 October. Since all candidates were not listed by party and elected as non-partisans, a breakdown by party is not possible. Turnout is estimated at about 50 percent.
| Candidates | Seats |
|---|---|
| Non-partisans | 249 |
| Total | 249 |
For more info: Afghan parliamentary election, 2005.
[edit] 2004 Presidential elections
| Candidates (Ethnic background) - Nominating party | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| Hamid Karzai (Pashtun) | 4,443,029 | 55.4% |
| Yunus Qanuni (Tajik) - Afghan Nationalist Party | 1,306,503 | 16.3% |
| Mohammed Mohaqiq (Hazara) - Independent (Wahdat Islamic Unity Party) | 935,325 | 11.7% |
| Abdul Rashid Dostum (Uzbek) - Independent (National Islamic Movement) | 804,861 | 10.0% |
| Abdul Latif Pedram (Tajik) - National Congress Party | 110,160 | 1.4% |
| Massouda Jalal (Tajik) | 91,415 | 1.1% |
| Sayed Ashaq Gailani* (Pashtun) - National Solidarity Movement | 80,081 | 1.0% |
| Ahmad Shah Ahmadzai (Pashtun) - Independent (Islamic Revolutionary Movement) | 60,199 | 0.8% |
| Abdul Satar Sirat (Tajik) | 30,201 | 0.4% |
| Hamyon Shah Aasifi (Pashtun) - Independent (National Unity Party) | 26,224 | 0.3% |
| Ghulam Farooq Nejrabi (Tajik) - Afghan Independence Party | 24,232 | 0.3% |
| Sayed Abdul Hadi Dabir (Tajik) | 24,057 | 0.3% |
| Abdul Hafiz Mansoor (Tajik) - Independent (Islamic Society) | 19,728 | 0.2% |
| Abdul Hadi Khalilzai (Pashtun) | 18,082 | 0.2% |
| Mir Mahfuz Nedahi (Pashtun) | 16,054 | 0.2% |
| Mohammed Ibrahim Rashid (Pashtun) | 14,242 | 0.2% |
| Wakil Mangal (Pashtun) | 11,770 | 0.1% |
| Abdul Hasib Aarian* (Tajik) | 8,373 | 0.1% |
| Total Valid Votes (turnout %) | 8,024,536 | 100.0% |
| Invalid Votes | 104,404 | |
| Total Votes | 8,128,940 |
Political parties in Afghanistan are in flux and many prominent players have plans to create new parties. The government of Hamid Karzai includes members of numerous factions and parties. As of the 2005 Parliamentary Election, political parties are not legally recognised and candidates must run as independents, although parties can support candidates who are members. Main parties seem to be:
- Islamic Social Party of Afghanistan (Hezb-i-Jamiat-i-Islami Afghanistan)
- Islamic Party of Afghanistan (Hezb-i-Islami Afghanistan)
- National Congress Party of Afghanistan (Hezb-e-Congra-e-Mili Afghanistan)
- National Movement of Afghanistan (Hezb-e-Nuhzhat-e-Mili Afghanistan)
- National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan (Jumbish-i-Milli Islami Afghanistan)
Other minor parties are:
- Afghan Social Democratic Party
- Communist Party of Afghanistan
- Democratic Watan Party of Afghanistan
- Liberal Democratic Party of Afghanistan
- Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan
- Social Nationalist Afghan Party
Some sources still list the following parties:
- Afghan Mellat Party (Afghan Social Democratic Party) (leader: Shams ul Huda Shams)
- Afghan Mellat Party (Shams Faction) Ajmal 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
- Mehez-e-Milli (Afghan National Party) Yunus Qanuni
- Mahaz-i-Milli-Islami (National Islamic Front) Sayed Ahamad Gailani
- Taliban (Religious Students Movement) Mohammed 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
[edit] 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]
[edit] Judicial branch
The Constitution of Afghanistan mandates a Supreme Court. Other minor courts were created too, such as high courts, appeals courts, and other district Courts.
- See also: Chief Justice of Afghanistan
[edit] International organization participation
AsDB, CP, ECO, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, ICSID, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC (suspended), IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW (signatory), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Afghan Voice.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 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.
- Afghanistan Online 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 compiles news articles from other sources.
- Afghanistan Reconstruction, featuring documents on development and technology, is part of the Development Gateway 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 was the basis for most of earlier versions of this article.
- Islamic Transitional State of Afghanistan 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 provides links to various sites and documents, including a country study of Afghanistan, which covers events up to 1995.
- ReliefWeb's Afghanistan section 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.
- United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan 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 page is extensive, mainly listing sites of other UN agencies.
- U.S. State Department's Background Note on Afghanistan, besides the requisite statistics, includes detailed summaries of country's history, economics, government and foreign relations.
- Afghan travel guide giving a glimpse of current life in the country.
