The Complexities Of Afghanistan's Government: Understanding The Intricate System

Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country in Central Asia. It is governed by the Taliban as a totalitarian emirate within an Islamic theocracy. The government is led by a supreme leader, currently Hibatullah Akhundzada, who has authority over all political, military, and religious decisions. The supreme leader is advised by a Leadership Council, which includes the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

Afghanistan has been unstable for decades, with frequent coups, civil wars, and violent transfers of power. The country has been governed by various systems, including a monarchy, republic, theocracy, dictatorship, and pro-communist state. The current government is internationally unrecognized and lacks a clear constitution. Governance is based on the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law.

The President of Afghanistan is the head of state and is directly elected to a five-year term

Afghanistan is officially called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The government of Afghanistan is a totalitarian emirate within an Islamic theocracy, with the Taliban Movement holding a monopoly on power. The government is provisional, with no constitution or basis for the rule of law. The structure is autocratic, with all power concentrated in the hands of the supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, and his clerical advisors.

The president has significant powers, including control over the military and legislative affairs. They are the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and can declare war or a state of emergency with the approval of the National Assembly. The president also has the power to appoint cabinet ministers, the attorney general, the central banker, a national security advisor, ambassadors, judges, and certain members of the upper house of the National Assembly.

The president's choice for cabinet ministers, Supreme Court nominees, and other high-ranking government posts is subject to the parliament's consent. The president also has the power to propose legislation in the National Assembly, and they can veto any laws approved by the legislature. However, the National Assembly can override the president's veto.

The current government of Afghanistan, led by the Taliban, is internationally unrecognized and has been criticized for totalitarianism, systemic human rights violations, a lack of accountability, and the exclusion of women, religious and ethnic minorities, and dissenting views.

The government is a theocracy and an emirate with political power concentrated in the hands of a supreme leader and his clerical advisors

The government of Afghanistan is a theocracy and an emirate, with all political power concentrated in the hands of a supreme leader and his clerical advisors. This form of governance is totalitarian and autocratic, with dissent not permitted. The supreme leader has authority over all political, military, and religious decisions, as well as government appointments.

The current supreme leader of Afghanistan is Hibatullah Akhundzada, who also heads the Taliban. The Taliban views the Quran as its constitution, and the country's official name is the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. As an Islamic state, the Taliban enforces a strict interpretation of Sharia law, along with Pashtunwali, through extensive social and cultural policies.

The supreme leader is advised by a Leadership Council, also known as the Rahbari Shura, which consists of 26 members. This council assists the supreme leader in governing the country and has the power to appoint a new supreme leader. The council oversees the Cabinet and the Prime Minister of Afghanistan, and it appoints individuals to key positions within the cabinet.

The government lacks a clear constitutional basis and is criticised by international observers for human rights violations, a lack of accountability, and the exclusion of women and ethnic and religious minorities.

The National Assembly is the country's bicameral legislature

The National Assembly is the highest legislative organ of Afghanistan, representing the will of its people and the whole nation. The National Assembly is a bicameral legislature, consisting of two chambers: the Wolesi Jirga (House of the People) and the Meshrano Jirga (House of Elders).

The Wolesi Jirga is the lower house of the National Assembly, with 249-250 seats. Its members are directly elected by the people through a single non-transferable vote (SNTV) system. Each province is given proportionate representation in the Wolesi Jirga according to its population. The constitution guarantees a minimum of 64 female delegates out of the 249-250 seats. The Wolesi Jirga has the primary responsibility for making and ratifying laws and approving the actions of the president.

The Meshrano Jirga is the upper house of the National Assembly, with 102 seats. It is made up of a mix of appointed and elected members. 68 members are selected by 34 directly elected Provincial Councils, and 34 are appointed by the President. Each provincial council elects one member to serve in the Meshrano Jirga, and each district council elects one member as well. Representatives of provincial councils serve a term of four years, while representatives of district councils serve a term of three years.

The Supreme Court is the highest judicial branch of the government

Afghanistan is officially called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. It is a unitary state led by the Taliban, with political power concentrated in the hands of a supreme leader and his clerical advisors, collectively referred to as the Leadership. The Leadership makes all major policy decisions, which are then implemented by the country's civil service and judiciary.

The Supreme Court is the court of last resort in Afghanistan. However, under the current Taliban government, the court has no independence or power of judicial review. The supreme leader of Afghanistan holds the ultimate authority to decide and interpret the law and may overturn any decision of any court.

The judiciary of Afghanistan consists of the Supreme Court, appellate courts, civil courts, and city courts. All justices of the appeals, civil, and city courts are presided over by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is housed in a four-story office building on Great Massoud Road, next to Massoud Circle.

The government is criticised for totalitarianism, human rights violations, and lack of accountability

The government of Afghanistan, officially called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, operates as a totalitarian emirate within an Islamic theocracy. The Taliban Movement holds a monopoly on power, with all political power concentrated in the hands of a supreme leader and his clerical advisors, referred to collectively as the Leadership.

The government has been criticised for totalitarianism, human rights violations, and a lack of accountability. Firstly, the government's totalitarian nature has been scrutinised. The Taliban's violence against women is not only a religious and ideological crusade but also a strategic move to achieve totalitarian control over society. By depriving women of their rights, the regime creates an environment intolerant of diversity and dissent.

Secondly, the government has been accused of human rights violations. Reports from NGOs and the UN have detailed instances of arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, ill-treatment, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances carried out by the Taliban authorities, particularly targeting former government officials, armed forces members, and security officials. Additionally, the National Directorate of Security (NDS) has been accused of running secret prisons, torturing suspects, harassing journalists, and deliberately killing civilians during raids.

Lastly, the government has faced criticism for a lack of accountability and opaque decision-making. Important policy decisions are made through informal and unaccountable channels, with political interventions lacking a clear line of command. The government has also been criticised for its failure to hold noncompliant officials accountable and for restricting access to information for journalists.

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