September 15, 2019

Elections are the way out of war in Afghanistan; not an option

topic:	Humans
located:	Afghanistan
editor:	Shadi Khan Saif

On the killing spree, the warning sides in Afghanistan need to finally learn the lesson that the peoples’ genuine vote in fair and inclusive elections is the only way forward, not an option.

After the U.S. president Donald Trump abruptly scrapped the nascent yet fragile peace parley with the Taliban insurgents, the war-weary Afghans are on the edge, fearing for yet another brazen spate of violence across the country. The violence that has been claiming at least 50 lives on an average daily basis for the past many, many years.

As a result, the Afghans can hardly focus on the forthcoming presidential polls to pick the candidate of their choice, with the Taliban directly threatening them against taking part in the elections and a segment of Afghan politicians also calling for any other ‘solution’ than the elections.

Whatever reservations the Taliban and the selective group of politicians – mostly former government figures now in the opposition – might have in connection with the fairness, inclusiveness and even the relevance of the September 28 presidential elections, they should pinpoint and urge the international community – that has huge stakes in Afghanistan – to resolve their rights to vote instead of throwing out of the window this fundamental right of the citizens.

Undermining this basic principle of democracy would only contribute to further harsh political bickering and roll back the little yet important gains Afghanistan have achieved in terms of institutional building.

Those seeking personal gains in the disguise of yet another new start of governance under all sorts of fancy banners should be reminded that Rome was not built in one day.

You can never jump from the start to the finishing line, and as far as nation-building after long crippling wars is concerned, 40 years in the case of Afghanistan, you need years, in fact decades, to undo the damage that has been done.

The so-called political elite in Afghanistan continues to indulge in identity politics in a country that has so many other potential campaign issues in the social sector that can help resolve the grievances of those who have been systemically deprived.

Afghans deserve a dignified, safe and free choice to vote their future leadership.