Amid political chaos, Ghani and Abdullah take oaths

KABUL (Pajhwok): Amid deepening political confusion, President Ashraf Ghani and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr. Abdullah took oaths as president at separate ceremonies in Kabul on Monday.

A number of Kabul-based diplomats, parliament members, government officials, jihadi leaders, ministers, some presidential candidates, military commanders and foreign guests were present at the ceremonies.

Chief Justice Prof. Sayed Yousuf Haleemi administered oath to Ghani for a second term, while Abdullah was sworn in at a competing ceremony at the Sapidar Palace -- separated by a wall from Ghani’s office.

Abdullah took oath from Maulvi Shahzada, a religious scholar and member of the High Oath-Taking Council minutes after minutes after Ghani was sworn in.

After a long delay caused by rigging allegations, the final election results were unveiled last month. Earlier, both camps delayed parallel inaugurations following America’s intervention.

In a frenzied effort to break the political deadlock, US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad met Ghani and Abdullah on Monday morning. Like marathon overnight negotiations, the morning meetings also fizzled out.

As guests streamed to the heavily-fortified Presidential Palace for the rival ceremonies, commandos stood guard on all roads leading to Ghani’s office.

Abdullah was offered the posts of senior minister and peace council head, as well as 40 percent of cabinet slots in the new administration, a source confided to Pajhwok Afghan News.

However, the CEO wanted to become prime minister -- a demand scorned by Ghani, who suggested a power-sharing deal giving his political foe a say in the security establishment, governance and in the peace process, said an official, familiar with the crisis-defusing negotiations.

On Sunday, the Taliban asked the top political leaders to focus on preparations for intra-Afghan dialogue instead of squabbling over the election outcome.

"Instead of swearing in, we want them to focus on intra-Afghan talks. We call upon them to leave the internal disagreements, stop the swearing in, and work for peace," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.

pk/mud