Abdullah Abdullah, at a parallel swearing-in ceremony in Kabul on Tuesday, took an oath of office as a self-proclaimed president and vowed to establish an inclusive government, focusing on peace and governance reforms.
President Ghani, at the nearby Presidential Palace, also held a swearing-in ceremony and took a presidential oath. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad, US Charge dAffaires Ross Wilson and Gen. Scott Miller were in attendance, along with a number of other ambassadors and leaders.
Abdullah, while opposed to a power-sharing deal similar to the National Unity Governments agreement in 2014, said he is nonetheless interested in talks to solve tensions.
"The funeral of democracy would have been held if this time we accepted the result of fraud," Abdullah said. "Now I am your president and servant; without discrimination."
He did not talk about his cabinet but insisted that the peace process, and talks with the Taliban, will be a priority.
"The first priority of our government is creating political stability and forming a negotiating team. We are committed to sacrificing to achieve peace and we will not spare self-sacrifice in this case," Abdullah said. "Our government is a national reconciliation and reforms government."
Sources told TOLOnews that Ghani offered Abdullah a 40% share in power, but the two sides could not reach an agreement despite efforts by Afghan and foreign politicians ahead of the dual swearing-in ceremonies in Kabul.
"This time, the will of Afghans is that they should say no to fraud and endorse the transparent votes of the people," said Basir Salangi, a member of Abdullahs team.
"It is at least five decades now that we are moving towards calamity and a new calamity will begin and the responsibility will be on those who are interfering in all issues," said Sayed Ishaq Gailani, head of the National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan.
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/14450
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