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‘Sacked’ Minister Stands His Ground

It was business as usual on Sunday for the minister of energy and water Ali Ahmad Osmani, who signed a contract in his office, a day after President Ashraf Ghani fired him. 

Osmani told TOLOnews that he will not step down but will continue his work as minister. 

Ghani on Saturday fired Osmani and appointed Mohammad Gul Khulmi, the deputy minister of energy and water for energy as acting minister.

CEO Abdullah Abdullah said in reaction to Ghani’s move that Osmani’s fate will be decided on once the president returns from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China.

Abdullah said the decision on Osmani will be made in the spirit of the National Unity Government (NUG). This was in reference to the NUG’s political agreement. 

Osmani on Monday signed a $13 million solar power project deal for Daikundi province. 

“I signed the contract, it means I will be here as the minister,” said Osmani. 

Osmani also said the ministry was responsible for numerous achievements over the past few years – a reason for the optimism shown by the National Unity Government. 

“Some of the optimism about government is because of the activities of the energy and water ministry,” Osmani added. 

The Presidential Palace said based on the constitution, the president has the authority to fire a minister.

In terms of the law, questions have been raised over how the disagreement between Ghani and Abdullah over Osmani’s dismissal can be resolved within a legal framework.

“The president has the authority to fire ministers, but regarding the removal of Osmani, there might be a conditional provision and that belongs to the Chief Executive's Office,” Ainuddin Bahaduri, Afghanistan’s Lawyers Union head secretary said. 

The tension between Ghani and Abdullah over Osmani reportedly dates back a few months. A few months ago, Osmani’s absence at the inauguration of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indian (TAPI) pipeline project in Herat province was widely reported on. 

More recently, Osmani was prevented from boarding a flight at Kabul airport for Balkh. Osmani had been expected to attend the inauguration of a few power projects in the province but was stopped from doing so.

Following Ghani’s move to fire Osmani on Saturday, Abdullah immediately opposed the decision.

Reaction

A number of members of the Wolesi Jirga (the Lower House of Parliament) said disagreements between government leaders did nothing to help the country and they should instead resolve issues between themselves.

“Disagreements must decrease in order to encourage people to believe in a brighter future,” MP Mohammad Abda said. 

“A part of the government's most important failures are due to the leaders’ disagreements,” MP Assadullah Sadati said. 

Senators at the Meshrano Jirga (the Upper House of Parliament) also raised concerns over the continued disagreements between Ghani and Abdullah – specifically around the Osmani issue. 

The senators said such tension will only worsen the political, military and economic situation in the country. 

“In this situation, where you (leaders) have disagreements among yourselves, how can we call on the Taliban to join the peace process,” said Senator Zalmai Zabuli. 

A number of senators said based on the NUG’s political agreement, the leaders should consult each other before making important political decisions. 

Senators said the ongoing disagreements between the NUG leaders erodes public trust in government.

“If these disagreements continue, people will lose confidence in government,” said Senator Gulalai Akbari. 

“Doubtless these disagreements will have a very negative impact on the overall situation in the country,” said the Senate’s first deputy speaker Mohammad Alam Ezedyar. 

‘Sacked’ Minister Stands His Ground

The ousted energy and water minister worked as usual on Sunday – a day after he was fired by President Ashraf Ghani. 

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It was business as usual on Sunday for the minister of energy and water Ali Ahmad Osmani, who signed a contract in his office, a day after President Ashraf Ghani fired him. 

Osmani told TOLOnews that he will not step down but will continue his work as minister. 

Ghani on Saturday fired Osmani and appointed Mohammad Gul Khulmi, the deputy minister of energy and water for energy as acting minister.

CEO Abdullah Abdullah said in reaction to Ghani’s move that Osmani’s fate will be decided on once the president returns from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China.

Abdullah said the decision on Osmani will be made in the spirit of the National Unity Government (NUG). This was in reference to the NUG’s political agreement. 

Osmani on Monday signed a $13 million solar power project deal for Daikundi province. 

“I signed the contract, it means I will be here as the minister,” said Osmani. 

Osmani also said the ministry was responsible for numerous achievements over the past few years – a reason for the optimism shown by the National Unity Government. 

“Some of the optimism about government is because of the activities of the energy and water ministry,” Osmani added. 

The Presidential Palace said based on the constitution, the president has the authority to fire a minister.

In terms of the law, questions have been raised over how the disagreement between Ghani and Abdullah over Osmani’s dismissal can be resolved within a legal framework.

“The president has the authority to fire ministers, but regarding the removal of Osmani, there might be a conditional provision and that belongs to the Chief Executive's Office,” Ainuddin Bahaduri, Afghanistan’s Lawyers Union head secretary said. 

The tension between Ghani and Abdullah over Osmani reportedly dates back a few months. A few months ago, Osmani’s absence at the inauguration of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Indian (TAPI) pipeline project in Herat province was widely reported on. 

More recently, Osmani was prevented from boarding a flight at Kabul airport for Balkh. Osmani had been expected to attend the inauguration of a few power projects in the province but was stopped from doing so.

Following Ghani’s move to fire Osmani on Saturday, Abdullah immediately opposed the decision.

Reaction

A number of members of the Wolesi Jirga (the Lower House of Parliament) said disagreements between government leaders did nothing to help the country and they should instead resolve issues between themselves.

“Disagreements must decrease in order to encourage people to believe in a brighter future,” MP Mohammad Abda said. 

“A part of the government's most important failures are due to the leaders’ disagreements,” MP Assadullah Sadati said. 

Senators at the Meshrano Jirga (the Upper House of Parliament) also raised concerns over the continued disagreements between Ghani and Abdullah – specifically around the Osmani issue. 

The senators said such tension will only worsen the political, military and economic situation in the country. 

“In this situation, where you (leaders) have disagreements among yourselves, how can we call on the Taliban to join the peace process,” said Senator Zalmai Zabuli. 

A number of senators said based on the NUG’s political agreement, the leaders should consult each other before making important political decisions. 

Senators said the ongoing disagreements between the NUG leaders erodes public trust in government.

“If these disagreements continue, people will lose confidence in government,” said Senator Gulalai Akbari. 

“Doubtless these disagreements will have a very negative impact on the overall situation in the country,” said the Senate’s first deputy speaker Mohammad Alam Ezedyar. 

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