Crisis of Confidence in Kabul

The parliament’s snub speaks high of the resentment in the corridors of power, not only against the president’s inclination towards alleged warlords and drug-barons, but also against the mistrust that the elected representatives nurse for his administration and policies. Other than compounding the governance structure, the row is likely to impact adversely the inflow of aid and assistance to the war-weary country. Western donors, who had surprisingly backed many of Karzai’s controversial nominees, are dumbstruck and pondering over ways and means to rescue the beleaguered government in Kabul. The evolving power vacuum is a point of concern at home and abroad, with wide-ranging socio-political and 
security implications.

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The crisis has its roots in the mistrust that had set in with the controversial reelection of President Karzai in August last year. Moreover, many of his cabinet picks were persons who supposedly had a shady background, and were widely seen as a complex compromise. On the political front, the blow comes as an act of parliament’s assertiveness to the adamant attitude that Karzai had shown towards it over the past many years. The floor had earlier passed a vote of no-confidence against the incumbent foreign minister, which fell on Karzai’s deaf ears as he kept on bypassing the parliament.

The confrontation this time around seems to have successfully blocked Karzai’s smooth sailing. It will compel him to strike an accord with the resurgent house, irrespective of the ire he might invite for reneging on his electoral promises.

The discord, however, should not serve as a hindrance in the task of nation-building.

First, prolonged difference of opinion with the parliament can lead to further instability, which the country can hardly afford. Second, it can derail initiatives on the part of President to go for an across-the-board consensus, and especially reaching out to the Taleban. Third, the ongoing war against terrorism can go wayward if it lacks unanimity of views with the political 
dispensation at work.

It would, thus, be suicidal for Karzai to make yet another effort to bypass the parliament. He will do well by withdrawing his controversial nominees and replacing them with persons of repute who can help further the goal of good governance and fight against corruption. Democracy in its infancy in Afghanistan can neither sustain the burden of confrontation nor of renegade elements in its midst.