WEB DESK
In an interesting development, two Afghan politicians – both claim they won the presidential election – have declared themselves president at different inauguration ceremonies.
The electoral commission says incumbent Ashraf Ghani narrowly won September’s vote, but Abdullah Abdullah alleges the result is fraudulent.
The old rivals both held positions in the previous government.
It comes as Afghanistan prepares to enter peace talks with the Taliban, hoping to end years of violence.
Experts warned the current political rivalry would “gravely affect the government’s position in the upcoming intra-Afghan talks”, which are due to begin on Tuesday.
Mr Ghani, who has been president since 2014, held his inauguration ceremony at the Presidential Palace in the capital Kabul.
The US special envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, charge d’affaires of the US embassy to Afghanistan Ross Wilson, Nato commander Gen Scott Miller and ambassadors of European Union, Canada, Australia, Denmark, Germany and Norway were all in attendance.
Mr Abdullah held his ceremony a short distance away at Sapedar Palace, which he used as his office during his tenure as Afghanistan’s chief executive in the last government. The ceremony went ahead despite his team earlier saying they would be prepared to cancel it, following the intervention of Mr Khalilzad.
UN congratulates President
@AshrafGhani on the occasion of his inauguration today and welcomes his commitment to national cohesion, to the formation of an inclusive government acceptable to all, and to fostering peace and economic growth.