Afghanistan: Abdullah challenges Ghani's re-election and forms new government

Text by: Sonia Ghezali

Afghanistan is in the midst of a political crisis. Outgoing President Ashraf Ghani was officially declared the winner on Tuesday. The main rival at the polls of Ashraf Ghani, who is also the chief executive, Abdullah Abdullah, rejects these results. He declares himself the winner. Each announces the formation of a government.

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From our correspondent in Islamabad,

The much feared scenario occurs: the post-electoral crisis as Afghanistan experienced it during the previous presidential election in 2014. And the actors are the same: Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah.

The first is the re-elected outgoing president, according to the official announcement this Tuesday of the Independent Electoral Commission. The second is its chief executive. The latter's post was created for him in 2014 in order to end the deadlock in the country, constitutionally blocked. He had finally given in.

The ballot had been marred by massive fraud. Abdullah Abdullah is once again questioning irregularities during the electoral process. The two men each announce the creation of a government.

This political crisis endangers peace efforts, alarm many Internet users. The United States and the Taliban have for several days said they are close to an agreement to withdraw foreign troops in exchange for reduced violence and the commitment of the insurgents to enter into dialogue with the Afghan authorities.

How could these, if divided, negotiate as part of a peace process? The representativeness of the Afghan state is once again questioned. The fragility of the institutions is again highlighted while the Taliban have always refused to recognize the legitimacy of the Kabul government.

The presidential poll had taken place three months late. The final results were announced on Tuesday, 4.5 months behind schedule.

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• afghanistan
• Ashraf Ghani
• Taliban

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