Ashraf Ghani
Taliban See Ghani as ‘Obstacle’ to Afghan Peace
ISLAMABAD – The Taliban warned Saturday that Afghan President Ashraf Ghani’s resolve to remain in office until the completion of his tenure was detrimental to peace talks aimed at finding a negotiated end to four decades of war in Afghanistan.
The insurgent group’s warning came on a day when its leaders held fresh discussions in Qatar with representatives of the Ghani government on developing “a joint agenda” for what are officially known as intra-Afghan negotiations.
The talks between the two Afghan warring sides have led to media speculation that Ghani might have to relinquish power to allow for an interim government to oversee the peace process.
But the Afghan president in an apparent rebuttal repeatedly vowed this week that he was legally bound to transfer power to his “elected successor.”
“This [presidency] is not mine. This seat belongs to the nation of Afghanistan. This system has dignity. You all voted for me,” Ghani told a public gathering in eastern Nangarhar province Wednesday.
“My basic goal is to be able to hand power, through the will of the people, to my elected successor,” he told CNN in an interview broadcast Friday.
‘Nothing but poverty, misery’
Afghanistan political foes Ghani and Abdullah agree to share power
In a key political development in Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani and his rival Abdullah Abdullah have ended months of crisis by agreeing to share power. Abdullah had refused to accept Ghani’s victory in last September’s presidential election. Observers feared their failure to resolve their standoff was endangering plans for a peace deal with theTaliban.
Mr Ghani will stay on as president while both men will choose an equal number of ministers.
Dr Abdullah will lead peace talks with the Taliban, should they get under way.
It is hoped the deal in the capital Kabul will help to maintain the balance of power that existed before last year’s disputed presidential election.
Mr Ghani and Dr Abdullah – who both claimed victory in last September’s election – last month held rival inauguration ceremonies.
The Afghan electoral commission says incumbent Ashraf Ghani narrowly won the vote, but Mr Abdullah has alleged the result is fraudulent.
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The deal comes days after a militant attack on a maternity ward in the capital, Kabul, left 24 people dead. Mothers, newborn babies and nurses were among the victims.
TANIKO Madagascar 