A conference titled “National Agenda” convened on Wednesday in Kabul, where participants focused on the importance of the formation of the “national unity government” called for by the agreement made between the two presidential candidates last week.
The gathering asked the two candidates, Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai and Abdullah Abdullah to reach an agreement over the principles and legal framework for the formation of a national unity government. The participants also said that the candidates must accept that it will require concessions from both sides.
“If you {candidates} agree on the principle and framework of national unity government without considering who is the president, confidently, this model could decrease the electoral tensions and it lead to the success of the process,” National Agenda founder Wali Massoud said. “It is a good opportunity to Afghan politicians, God for bid, if the opportunity is missed, then we do not know what direction the crisis will move in.”
In attendance at the conference, a number political analysts argued the national unity government plan would be the only way to ensure a smooth transition and bridge the divide between the candidates and their supporters.
“National unity government doesn’t mean coalition government or seat adjustment between the two sides, the national government is a way out of the crisis,” Hamid Mubarez said.
The candidates had representatives at the conference as well. Abdullah’s spokesman said his team is committed to forming a national unity government even if they win the election. He also said negotiations over the agreement are ongoing, but will be completed before results are announced.
“With consideration of text of the agreement, all issues pertaining to national unity government have been discussed generally, so the two teams need to conduct negotiations on that before the election results, details of the agreement must be endorsed by the two sides,” said Alimi Balkhi, a member of Abdullah’s camp.
Meanwhile, Ashraf Ghani’s camp questioned the motivations behind foreign involvement in the election process.
“After this, there shouldn’t be a need for Iran, Pakistan and the U.S. to come and intervene, we aren’t sold to America so they can come and say that this is right and this not,” Ghani camp representative Safia Sediqi said. "They supported us, but should have supported us rightly. There is the possibility that ongoing conflicts are also the work of the foreigners, who do not want to see a better government in Afghanistan and see people breathe in peace.”
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry came to Kabul last week to meet with the two candidates and try to resolve the disputes that risked derailing the election process.
Kerry's meetings resulted in an agreement that called for the establishment of a chief executive post with the authorities of the prime minister on the basis of presidential decree; the establishment of an opposition seat on the order of the president; the designation of chief executive and leader of the opposition by the losing candidate; equal power sharing between winning candidate and opposition leader; the holding of constitution amendment Loya Jirga within two years of the election; and the implementation of reforms in election management bodies.