Over the past year a series of clashes over the 2010 Parliamentary elections has paralyzed the legislature and brought the executive, judiciary and legislative branches into prolonged conflict. The following is a series of interviews in which www.bamdad.af asks ordinary Afghan citizens about their own views and attitudes towards the current political conflict.
The only winners in Afghanistan’s current Constitutional crisis are the insurgents, believes Yahya Ghaforzai, a member of the Drafting Commission in the Lower House of Parliament.
“The current conflict between the government’s branches has created a gap between the state and the public,” he said. “The armed opposition has benefited from this; they attract dissatisfied people to their insurgency.”
There is much to be dissatisfied about, emphasized Ghaforzai. Unemployment is on the rise, the prices of various commodities have soared, and investors are holding their money close to their vests.
Ghafozai is not alone in his assessment.
Abdul Halim Yusufzai, a graduate student in the Economics Department of Kabul University, sees the three branches as forming the backbone of the government. If there is serious and prolonged discord between the branches, the people will lose faith in the system.
Yahya Ghaforzai, a member of the Drafting Commission in
the Lower House of Parliament.
“The economic and political crises will only deepen if the government does not have a comprehensive policy for implementing the rule of law,” he said. “All financial resources will be destroyed, unemployment will increase, and the stage will be set for a bloody revolution.”
Wali Khan Ahmadzai, who works in a national NGO, agrees.
“The current conflict will open the way for foreign intervention,” he said. “Our neighboring countries will increase their meddling in Afghanistan’s internal affairs. All branches of the government should consider the national interest, otherwise, this newly established democracy will fail.”
Ghulam Sakhi, a resident of Deh Mazang, is also very pessimistic.
“Neither the executive nor the legislature works for people,” he said. “There are no jobs, and the level of unemployment is increasing by the day. People are joining the government’s opponents and the security situation is deteriorating.”
Sakhi was once a member of a jihadi party, but he has laid down his gun and is working to feed his family. He warns that he will take up arms again if he is unable to make enough money to support those who depend on him.
Shams Ahmadzai, who said he is working in an international organization, blames presidential advisors for the current problems.
“The election crisis developed as result of bad advice given to the President about the Parliamentary elections,” he said. “There would not be any conflict between the executive, judicial and legislative branches if the President had made the correct decisions.”
According to Ahmadzai, the current tension has damaged Afghanistan’s political reputation in the international community. Some foreign countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, have influence in the Parliament and are trying to reach their goals this way.
Ahmad Fawad, a student in law and politics at
Kabul University.
Ahmad Fawad, a student in law and politics at Kabul University, agrees.
“The current conflict has affected the political and economic situation of the country,” he said. “Investors are not putting as much money into the economy as before, and this has resulted in many people losing their jobs. The level of unemployment has risen, and people are very upset.”
This cannot help but have a very negative ripple effect on the country as a whole, he added.
“If this situation continues, people who have no jobs or money will resort to any kind of illegal acts, including stealing, robbing people on the streets, or even organizing attacks against the government.”
