Nato finds itself without the services of a ‘key partner' in its war against terror after Afghanistan's parliament rejected a significant portion of Hamid Karzai's nominees for his new Cabinet.
The indictment is damning. Only seven out of 24 candidates were approved. Among those rejected were a woman and a warlord accused of human-rights abuses.
Karzai would do well to realise that the people have spoken and there will be no more rubber stamping of decisions in parliament. He should understand that confidence in his abilities to reshape the country is at an all-time low. And while the Taliban continue to strike Nato forces and Afghan civilians with impunity, the country flounders without a functioning government. The longer this lasts, the more time the enemy will get to consolidate itself while the people suffer.
The common man has realised that Karzai's list of potential Cabinet members was a classic effort to placate the allies and warlords. But the rejection means that in certain ways it is a victory for democracy.
Karzai would do well to accept the will of his people. He must go back to the drawing board and seek out those who are fit to govern instead of choosing ministers who are up for sale.
