The Governance Question: Afghanistan's Leadership Conundrum

Afghanistan has had both a president and a prime minister at different points in its history. The position of prime minister was created in 1927 as an official appointed by the king of Afghanistan. The holder of this position served mostly as an advisor until the end of the Kingdom of Afghanistan in 1973. The president of Afghanistan, on the other hand, is the head of state and government and the commander-in-chief of the Afghan Armed Forces. The country's last president, Ashraf Ghani, fled to the United Arab Emirates as the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021. Following Ghani's departure, the Taliban reinstated the position of prime minister, appointing Mullah Hasan Akhund as the acting prime minister. However, due to Akhund's illness, Maulvi Abdul Kabir was appointed as the caretaker prime minister in May 2023.

Afghanistan's president and prime minister

Afghanistan has had both a president and a prime minister at different points in its history. The country became a republic in 1973, when the monarchy was abolished, and the position of prime minister was removed. The prime ministership was reinstated in 1978 when Afghanistan became a democratic republic.

The president of Afghanistan is the head of state and head of the government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. They are also the Commander-in-Chief of the Afghan Armed Forces. The president is elected by an absolute majority vote through a two-round system. The 2004 Constitution grants the president wide powers over military and legislative affairs.

The prime minister of Afghanistan, officially the prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is the head of the government of Afghanistan. The position was created in 1927 as an official appointed by the king. The holder served mostly as an advisor until the end of the monarchy in 1973. The post was abolished after the US invasion that ousted the Taliban regime, and a presidential system was established.

The most recent president of Afghanistan was Ashraf Ghani, who fled to the United Arab Emirates as the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021. Ghani was preceded by Hamid Karzai, whose two terms ended in 2014. On September 7, 2021, the Taliban reinstated the position of prime minister, appointing Mullah Hasan Akhund as the acting prime minister. Akhund was replaced by Maulvi Abdul Kabir in May 2023.

The Taliban's reinstatement of the prime minister position

Afghanistan has had a tumultuous political history, with the country witnessing a constant shift in power dynamics. The country has experienced various forms of governance, from being a monarchical state to a democratic republic, and most recently, falling under the control of the Taliban.

The position of Prime Minister in Afghanistan was initially created in 1927, with the Prime Minister serving as an advisor to the King. However, in 1963, a shift occurred where the Prime Minister became the head of state and gained the power to summon the Electoral College in the King's absence. This dynamic continued until the end of the Kingdom of Afghanistan in 1973.

In 1978, Afghanistan transitioned into a Democratic Republic when Mohammed Daoud Khan initiated the Saur Revolution. During this period, the President was responsible for appointing the Prime Minister, who then appointed the Council of Ministers.

The political landscape underwent another transformation in 1996 when the Taliban forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan seized control. The Taliban abolished the position of Prime Minister, and the deputy leader of the Taliban was often referred to as the Prime Minister.

In 2001, the Taliban government was toppled by a US-led invasion, and a presidential form of government was established. This lasted from 2004 until 2021, when the US withdrew its troops, paving the way for the Taliban to regain control.

On September 7, 2021, the Taliban reinstated the position of Prime Minister, announcing Islamic scholar Hasan Akhund as the acting Prime Minister. Akhund's appointment was short-lived, as he was replaced by Maulvi Abdul Kabir in May 2023.

The reinstatement of the Prime Minister position by the Taliban signifies a return to the country's previous power structure. The Prime Minister, as the head of government, plays a crucial role in shaping the nation's policies and governing the country. The appointment of Kabir, a seasoned Taliban leader, underscores the Taliban's intention to consolidate power and exert control over Afghanistan's governance.

The Taliban's decision to reinstate the Prime Minister position has drawn mixed reactions. Analysts suggest that Kabir's diplomatic skills and ability to negotiate with foreign countries may have been factors in his appointment. However, the Taliban's isolation on the world stage persists, with no country recognizing its government.

The role of the supreme leader of Afghanistan

The Supreme Leader wields unlimited authority and is the ultimate source of all law in Afghanistan. He is responsible for appointing and managing the activities of the Prime Minister, Cabinet members, judges, and provincial and local leaders. The current Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, was chosen by the Leadership Council and assumed office in exile during the Taliban insurgency in 2016, later coming to power in 2021 with the Taliban's victory over US-backed forces.

Akhundzada has issued numerous decrees that have profoundly reshaped Afghanistan's government and daily life, implementing a strict interpretation of Hanafi school Sharia law. These decrees have included restrictions on women's rights, such as banning girls from attending secondary school and university, and imposing strict dress codes that require women to cover themselves completely except for their eyes when in public. He has also banned the cultivation of opium and issued directives to the Armed Forces regarding their conduct.

The Supreme Leader receives the highest government salary in the reinstated Islamic Emirate and maintains a low profile, ruling from the shadows due to the threat of US drone strikes and the presence of Islamic State affiliate groups. He surrounds himself with a circle of suicide bombers and has very few public appearances, with most of his decrees and communications being issued through letters or audio recordings.

The eligibility requirements for the Afghan presidency

Afghanistan has both a president and a prime minister. The position of prime minister was reinstated in September 2021 after the Taliban took control of the country.

Article 62 of the 2004 Constitution of Afghanistan outlines the eligibility requirements for the Afghan presidency. A candidate for the office of President must:

• Be a citizen of Afghanistan, born of Afghan parents.
• Be a Muslim.
• Be at least forty years old when declaring their candidacy.
• Not be a citizen of another country.
• Not have been convicted of crimes against humanity or a criminal act, or had their civil rights revoked by a court.
• Not have previously served more than two terms as president.

The US withdrawal and the Taliban takeover

Afghanistan has both a president and a prime minister. The position of prime minister was revived in 2021 after the US withdrawal and the Taliban takeover.

In April 2021, US President Joe Biden announced that US military forces would leave Afghanistan by September 2021. The Taliban, which had continued to capture and contest territory across the country, ramped up attacks on Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) bases and outposts and began to rapidly seize more territory. In May 2021, the US accelerated the pace of its troop withdrawal. By the end of July 2021, the US had completed nearly 95% of its withdrawal, leaving just 650 troops to protect the US embassy in Kabul.

In the summer of 2021, the Taliban continued its offensive, threatening government-controlled urban areas and seizing several border crossings. In early August, the Taliban began direct assaults on multiple urban areas, including Kandahar in the south and Herat in the west. On August 6, 2021, the Taliban captured the capital of southern Nimruz Province, the first provincial capital to fall. After that, provincial capitals began to fall in rapid succession. Within days, the Taliban captured more than ten other capitals, including Mazar-i-Sharif in the north and Jalalabad in the east, leaving Kabul the only major urban area under government control.

On August 15, 2021, over two weeks before the official US withdrawal deadline, Taliban fighters entered the capital. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani subsequently fled the country and took refuge in the United Arab Emirates. The Afghan government collapsed, and the Taliban announced they had entered the presidential palace, taken control of Kabul, and were establishing checkpoints to maintain security.

The speed of the Taliban's territorial gains and the collapse of both the ANDSF and the Afghan government surprised US officials and allies, as well as the Taliban itself, despite earlier intelligence assessments of the situation on the ground. Following the Taliban's takeover, the Biden administration authorized the deployment of an additional 5,000 troops to assist with the evacuation of US and allied personnel, as well as thousands of Afghans who worked with the US and were attempting to flee. On August 26, 2021, two suicide bombings outside the Kabul airport killed at least 169 Afghans and 13 US troops. ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the attacks. August 26, 2021, was the deadliest day for US troops in Afghanistan since 2011. On August 31, 2021, the Pentagon announced the completion of the US troop withdrawal, with remaining US personnel and citizens having to rely on diplomatic channels to evacuate.

On September 7, 2021, the Taliban reinstated the position of prime minister, appointing Mullah Hasan Akhund as the acting prime minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. In May 2023, Afghanistan's Taliban rulers appointed Maulvi Abdul Kabir, who played a key role in the 2020 Doha Agreement with the US, as the country's new caretaker prime minister.

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