Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Afghan President Ghani's First Week in Office

A week into office, President Ashraf Ghani and the National Unity Government have showed serious commitment in fighting corruption in the country.
In his first few days, the president reopened the controversial Kabul Bank case of embezzlement and in his first meeting with the cabinet, the president gave the ministers 15 days to report to the Presidential Palace about the employments of non-military, political posts and contracted employees according to gender, level of education and years of the service.
Ghani added that all governors are now "acting governors" until the employment of new substitutes, stressing that the acting governors do not have the authority to appoint or dismiss any employees.
The president's initiatives have been welcomed around the country. A number of MPs have stated that the fight against corruption will also contribute to tackling other social challenges.
"Although it is too early to judge, the president has sent a serious message in the fight against corruption," MP Nahid Farid said. "He will finish the incomplete fight."
His second day at office, the president allowed for the Bilateral Security Agreement (BSA) to be signed with the United States. The BSA provides a legal framework for the presence of American troops in Afghanistan post-2014.
Security and negotiations with the armed opposition have also been on top of the new government's priorities. Since inauguration, Ghani has called on the Taliban to join the peace process.
President Ghani took the oath to protect and preserve the Afghan Constitution last Monday, becoming the nation's first president to take office from his predecessor through a democratic transition.
The inauguration ceremony took place September 29 at the Presidential Palace in Kabul. With the participation of 1,400 national and international guests, the ceremony began with President Hamid Karzai saluting the army and bidding farewell to them followed by the recitation of the Quran and the national anthem.

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