Afghanistan inaugurates new president, CEO in power-sharing deal

Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah are to be sworn in as Afghanistan's new leaders. The inauguration marks the first peaceful transition of power in the country's history.

Deutsche Welle, 29 Sep 2014

Foreign dignitaries gathered at the presidential palace in Kabul on Monday to witness the beginning of what many hope will be a new political era in Afghanistan.

President Hamid Karzai, who has headed the government since shortly after the US-led invasion in 2001, handed over power to the two democratically-elected leaders. They, in turn, are to lead Afghanistan as it faces another important transition: the withdrawal of NATO troops in the coming months.

Ashraf Ghani was first sworn in as president by the chief justice. Ghani then introduced Abdullah Abdullah as his "chief executive officer" (CEO), a new office broadly equivalent to that of prime minister.

"I had a tough journey. There were many obstacles in my way, there were many troubles," outgoing President Karzai said on Monday, during his address at the presidential palace ahead of the swearing in.

"[But] one thing I am leaving today is experience and establishments to the new president," he said.

The appointment of a new president was crucial, among other things, to arrange a continued ISAF troop presence beyond the end of the NATO-led force's combat mandate at the end of the year. A president's signature was required on terms for the remaining soldiers, for example guaranteeing against prosecution in Afghan courts. Former President Hamid Karzai, asked by the US to sign this agreement, had said that his successor should authorize the continued ISAF mission.

'Peace has been the priority'

The swearing in of Ghani and Abdullah officially ends roughly three months of political strife over this summer's election results. With the help of mediation by US Secretary of State John Kerry, the presidential candidates agreed to divide power.

"Brothers and sisters, you came and voted and then you waited after the election. You proved that you have enough political commitment to the country," Karzai said on Monday.

"I would like to request the dear people to help the new leadership and support them in their work. Furthermore, it is necessary to [thank] all the countries that have assisted Afghanistan during the past 13 years. I would like to sincerely thank them," he added.

Violence ahead of ceremony

There were reports of violence on Monday.

A bomb exploded near Kabul airport, claiming several lives. The explosion was caused by a suicide bomber, according to Reuters news agency. An official death toll was not immediately available, however news agency DPA cited witnesses as saying that at least four civilians had been killed in the attack.

According to a military official in the eastern province of Paktia, a car bomb exploded near a government building. Security officials then clashes with Taliban militants, killing at least seven of them, Captain Mohammed Hekhlas told the Associated Press news agency.

The Taliban, which ruled Afghanistan for five years prior to the US invasion, has rejected the new government.

kms/se (AP, AFP, dpa)

State Department officials have expressed hope that Ashraf Ghani may

 still also sign the agreement at a later date. Photograph: Shah Marai/

AFP /Getty Images

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