87pc Afghans oppose power sharing govt: Survey

KABUL (Pajhwok): Eighty-seven percent of people oppose power-sharing between President Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah while 13 percent believe it could end the ongoing political crisis in the country, finds a Pajhwok survey.

Differences between President Ghani and former CEO Abdullah resurfaced after the Independent Election Commission (IEC) announced Ashraf Ghani winner of presidential election.

Abdullah, who finished runner up in the presidential vote, did not accept the IEC decision and announced himself president.

The presidential election was held on September 28. Based on initial results, Ashraf Ghani secured 50.64 percent of the votes while Dr. Abdullah Abdullah secured over 39 percent of total votes cast.

However, Abdullah’s office says they have been working on a plan in which High Peace Council (HPC) is among other issues included to end the ongoing political crisis in the country.

The former CEO office says after completion and evaluation of the plan, it would be discussed with President Ashraf Ghani team.

President Ashraf Ghani has earlier offered Dr. Abdullah the HPC and there were also some rumors President Ghani and Dr. Abdullah were likely to end their rift.

Pajhwok Afghan News conducted an online survey and asked its readers whether a power sharing should take place or a National Unity Government should come into being?

It’s worth mentioning the questioner was online and did not meet a standard survey.

Some 6,700 people left their comments on the survey.

Khial Mohammad Nazari said, “We don’t want it, we want a government which values our vote, if a power sharing takes place between Ghani and Abdullah, what for the elections were held.

Another participant Munir Akbarzoi wrote: “The National Unity Government did nothing in its five years term, now it would not be good for the nation because only few figures will get benefit of it.”

The former Nation Unity Government was created with mediation of US foreign secretary John Kerry in which Kerry declared Ghani as President and Abdullah as CEO.

Jalalzai, wrote, “The failed government experience should not be repeated again, people of the world learn from their failures.”

Durkhani Maiwand wrote, “We should never try NUG again as it was a failure.”

Hamza said, “We should work for peace, not for power.”

Mohammad Haroon wrote, “Actually the US wants to distribute power and it would happen.”

But Abdul Qadar wrote, “There would be no alternative to address the ongoing political crisis without a power sharing formula.”

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had tried to resolve differences between President Ashraf Ghani and Dr. Abdullah Abdullah.

Pompeo tried to convince the two leaders on forming an inclusive government. But the meetings yielded no fruitful result.

Later the US State Department regretted the behaviour of the two leaders and cut $1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan.

Pk/ma