Afghanistan: President, CEO Still Divided on Formation of Cabinet

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Spokesman to the chief executive of the National Unity Government on Tuesday dismissed reports about the seven ministers to be introduced to the House of Representatives, stating that the president and chief executive have not reached an agreement.

Mujiburrahman Rahimi, spokesman to Abdullah Abdullah, while clearing the air said that the reports were all baseless.

"Reports broadcasted by some news agencies and radio are not correct," Rahimi said. "Such an agreement has not been made. The introduction of names and ministries are all baseless reports."

Meanwhile, Afghan lawmakers, pointing to the law, urge the government to find a solution quickly as each day that passes laws are being violated.

"The promises that were made by President Ashraf Ghani and CEO Abdullah Abdullah during the election campaigns have not been fulfilled," Balkh MP Ahmad Shah Ramazan said. "Today, there is a state of uncertainty in the ministries. Even if ministers issue an order his assistant does not sign off."

Sources close to the president and chief executive, on condition of anonymity, have said that the two sides maintain disagreements on several key ministries including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, and the National Directorate of Security. And according to the sources, Abdullah has asked to keep the ministries of defense and foreign affairs, but the president has not accepted the demands.

Two months have passed since the formation of the National Unity Government and the president and chief executive have yet to reach a final agreement in the development of the new cabinet.