After a prolonged electoral stalemate, presidential candidates Abdullah Abdullah and Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai finally signed the National Unity Government agreement at the Presidential Palace on Sunday noon.
President Hamid Karzai, prominent political figures and members of both electoral teams were present at the ceremony.
Speaking at the event, President Karzai congratulated the candidates on signing the agreement, calling it an “Afghan agreement.”
“We hope that you [the candidates] can continue the things that the current government started,” Karzai added.
Soon after the agreement was signed, the White House, in a press release, applauded the formation of the national unity government.
“Signing this political agreement helps bring closure to Afghanistan’s political crisis, and restores confidence in the way forward. We support this agreement and stand ready to work with the next administration to ensure its success,” the statement read. “Reaching this agreement required difficult choices, partnership and compromise on the part of both candidates, and the outcome of their talks prioritizes the recognized needs of the Afghan nation ahead of politics or individual power,” it added.
This is while the Independent Election Commission (IEC) officials is expected to announce the final election results later today. Reports indicate that the announcement will not declare any “winners or losers.”
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