Another hurdle for elections in 2016: MPs reject presidential decree on electoral commissions Had MPs approved the presidential legislative decree ‘reforming’ the electoral commissions, Afghanistan would now be significantly closer to holding parliamentary and district elections. (And the National Unity Government could have claimed to be pushing forward on electoral reform, something required by the agreement that established it.) However, after three days of ill-mannered discussion, MPs roundly […] 17 Jun 2016 Ali Yawar Adili • Kate Clark • Lenny Linke • Salima Ahmadi • Political Landscape
Raftan, Raftan: How young Afghans from Herat end up in the Syrian war Much has been reported about how Afghan men, mostly young Shias, are being incentivised or coerced by Iran into fighting on the side of the Assad regime in Syria. There has been little study, however, of how exactly they end up in Syria. Said Reza Kazemi (*) has been tracking a 22 year-old Shia Afghan […] 14 Jun 2016 S Reza Kazemi • Regional Relations
Pushing the Parliament to Accept a Decree: Another Election without Reform? Afghanistan’s electoral reform process, that was supposed to be a precondition for the next ballot, has been excruciatingly slow and has culminated in a watered-down version of its original mandate. The delays mean that it has by now become practically impossible to hold elections this year. The presidential palace, however, continues to insist that both elections […] 10 Jun 2016 Ali Yawar Adili • Martine van Bijlert • Political Landscape
Power to the People (3): Perspectives from Bamyan The TUTAP commission established by President Ghani following massive protests recently decided in favour of the Salang route for a north-south power line. The commission ruled further that Bamyan should get its own 220KV power line by 2019. This is a balanced solution in the midst of crisis, meant to temper ethnic tensions that arose […] 5 Jun 2016 Jelena Bjelica • Thomas Ruttig • Economy, Development, Environment
AAN Co-director, Thomas Ruttig on Swiss Radio, Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen – May 2016 AAN’s Co-director Thomas Ruttig on SRF Radio discussing about the change in the Taleban leadership and chances for peace. 31 May 2016 Thomas Ruttig • Podcasts
Struggling to Get a Quorum in Parliament: Fiddling the figures and suspending MPs The lower house of the Afghan parliament has always struggled with attendance. However, during the current legislative year, which began in March, it has been rare for it to get a quorum (ie a majority of MPs attending). With two thirds of all plenary sessions inquorate, many laws on the agenda could not be voted […] 31 May 2016 Lenny Linke • Salima Ahmadi • Political Landscape
When The Political Agreement Runs Out: On the future of Afghanistan’s National Unity Government The National Unity Government (NUG), which was created to solve the impasse caused by the bitterly disputed 2014 presidential elections, has come under intense criticism for a wide range of real and perceived failures. Its position has also been called into question by uncertainty over whether, based on the text of the political agreement, its […] 29 May 2016 Martine van Bijlert • Ali Yawar Adili • Political Landscape
Taleban in Transition: How Mansur’s death and Haibatullah’s ascension may affect the war (and peace) The killing of Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansur in an American drone strike has deprived the Taleban of their official, and before that, de facto leader of six years. Mansur had shaped the movement profoundly – leaving it stronger militarily, but with more internal dissension. His successor, Mullah Haibatullah, is an austere, pious man with higher religious […] 27 May 2016 Borhan Osman • War and Peace
AAN’s Thomas Ruttig on the new Afghan Taleban Leader – May, 2016 AAN’s Co-director Thomas Ruttig on VOA News discussing the new leader of Afghan Taleban, Mullah Haibatullah. 27 May 2016 Thomas Ruttig • Podcasts
Almost Signed? The peace agreement with Hezb-e Islami On 18 May 2016, two delegations representing respectively the insurgent faction of Hezb-e Islami-ye Afghanistan and the Afghan High Peace Council (HPC) initialled a draft peace agreement that should end Hezb’s armed struggle. The status of the document – and whether it may still be subject to changes – is not fully clear, but there is […] 21 May 2016 Martine van Bijlert • Thomas Ruttig • War and Peace
