For months, Afghanistan's two rival presidential candidates – Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah – have exchanged mutual blame and accusations of poll fraud, leaving the country without effective leadership. The political stalemate has hurt the economy and inflamed a security situation at a critical time when the US-led military coalition prepares to withdraw its troops.
As The National reported yesterday, that standoff has been brought to an end via a unity agreement. The deal will enable Mr Ghani, who has been declared president, to share power with Mr Abdullah as his chief executive.
Many of the millions of Afghans who defied the Taliban to vote in a landmark presidential election in April, will rightly argue that a unity government is not the answer they were looking for. But it will, at least, bring some much needed stability. It also gives those in power an opportunity to tackle militancy and rebuild a country that has been ravaged by decades of conflict.
The task will not be easy for Mr Ghani and Mr Abdullah, especially as they belong to different communities, representing Afghanistan’s ethnic and geographic divisions.
Mr Ghani is a Pashtun who enjoys the support of the people from the country’s south and east, while Mr Abdullah has the backing of the Hazara and Tajik communities in the north. But this division also brings an opportunity for them to represent the entire population.
There are many challenges. With winter approaching, the Taliban has stepped up its activities. The country’s economy is in tatters, with officials warning that it is on the verge of bankruptcy, while corruption is widespread. At the same time, the extended political process has left many Afghans suspicious of politicians. They need to have confidence in a government that will unite them and help put the economy back on its feet.
Both leaders must now rise above their personal political interests. The Afghan people need a real unity government – not merely power sharing between two politicians.
The specs: 2018 Dodge Durango SRT
Price, base / as tested: Dh259,000
Engine: 6.4-litre V8
Power: 475hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 640Nm @ 4,300rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.7L / 100km
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: Blah
Started: 2018
Founder: Aliyah Al Abbar and Hend Al Marri
Based: Dubai
Industry: Technology and talent management
Initial investment: Dh20,000
Investors: Self-funded
Total customers: 40
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'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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