The unofficial results of Afghan
Presidential elections has created a serious crisis that threatens to undo the
great leap made through holding Elections in Afghanistan. The crisis was the
result of non-acceptance of the unofficial results by the losing
candidate, Abdullah Abdullah. The threats of a new Civil War became real; though
dimmed now, are still present. John Kerry of United States intervened along
with United Nations to save the day. They have come up with a solution
providing for audit of the elections by ISAF, acceptance of the
results after the audit and a power sharing formula. This has also created
a reaction in certain quarters, arguing why US is forcing the winner to share
power with the loser? There may be some genuine anguish among the sympathisers of
the winner, but there is also a section that sees in this a peaceful
resolution and transfer of power, thus their interests
in weakening of Afghan Government are hurt.
In Democratic Politics such
compromises are normal. Look at Pakistan, why MQM is being wooed by all
governments whether it was PPP or now PMLN. They don’t need their votes n center
or Sindh but still neither removed MQM governor, Why? The alternate was a civil
war. The compromise that US has brokered is not ideal but is much better than
the alternate which would have been a Civil War in Afghanistan. Some Governors
of Abdullah Camp had announced they would forcibly take over Presidential
Palace. This is not good but democracy will come slowly and gradually. More
than Ashraf Ghani or Abdullah, Afghanistan needs a peaceful transfer of power
and continuation of the democratic system. Opposing something just because
Americans have done it, is not a very mature approach. Even in Pakistan Saudi
Arabia is known to broker deals when there is apolitical impasse. A Stable
Afghanistan is in the best interest of Pakhtuns everywhere. Any way it's not a
Pakhtun versus Non Pakhtun issue in Afghanistan as is portrayed by certain
circles in Pakistan and elsewhere. Abdullah has Pakhtun supporters
and Ashraf Ghani has even more non Pakhtun supporters, Rasheed Dostum and
Ahmad Shah Masood's family stands by Ashraf Ghani while Zalmay Rasul stands by
Abdullah.
There are still dangers that even this
compromise may not work. It will be sad day. I am only trying to say
criticising it because it has been brokered by US or because it is a compromise
is not good.
It has its weaknesses and is far from ideal, but peace is more important than any
ideal legalistic solution. As an ordinary Pakhtun, I see compromises made for
the sake of peace in my daily life. When two parties (even, rather specially if
they are family) have a dispute and they cannot resolve it themselves, within
the family, then others do get involved. Mostly, they would go for a compromise
solution, even at the cost of not giving all that is due strictly legally to
one of the parties. Many were relying on violence during Election Day and non-participation
of people in elections, even hoping elections would not be held. When those
expectations failed, they started hoping results will not be accepted by one of
the parties. This compromise dims the chances of such
wishes. At this moment, Peaceful transition of power will go a long
way in the long journey of establishing true democratic institutions and
traditions in Afghanistan. A stable Democratic Afghanistan is the only real
guarantee against foreign intervention in Afghanistan. An
interference free, stable and democratic Afghanistan, is in the interest of
Pakhtuns, whether in Afghanistan or elsewhere as well as Pakistan and the region at large.
New Para - added today 17 May 2020
The agreement provides for an inclusive broad based government which will be better poised to deal/ talk with the Taliban. It is in the interest, now of all parties, inside or outside Afghanistan to have an immediate ceasefire and for the intra Afghan dialogue to commence.
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