Neighbourhood watch: Campaigning kicks off as Karzai’s brother sets to enter presidential race

Women rights activist Fawzia Koofi launches movement to ensure female participation, plans to contest elections.


Tahir Khan September 28, 2013
Mahmud Karzai, confirmed to journalists that Qayum is likely to enlist in the race and will shortly communicate this to the election authorities. PHOTO: AFP

ISLAMABAD: Election campaigning is gradually picking up in war-torn Afghanistan as the country approaches its presidential and provincial council elections scheduled for April 2014.

Among the candidates will be Afghan President Hamid Karzai’s elder brother, Abdul Qayum Karzai. Due to constitutional restrictions, the president himself cannot contest for a third term and his brother now seeks a larger political role.

Political analysts believe the president’s public support and endorsement of any candidate will substantially boost the latter’s position in securing the presidency.

The president’s other brother, Mahmud Karzai, confirmed to journalists that Qayum is likely to enlist in the race and will shortly communicate this to the election authorities. Registration for presidential hopefuls is underway and candidates still have about 10 days left to submit their paperwork.



Hamid had reportedly earlier opposed Qayum’s bid to contest and it still remains unclear if he will support his brother. It is strongly believed the president wants Foreign Minister Dr Zalmai Rassoul to replace him. Rassoul is a close confidant of Hamid and had previously served as the national security advisor from June 2002 to January 2010.

The president’s trust in Rassoul was such that he sent him to lead the Afghan delegation at the United Nations General Assembly this year. This decision was considered as a move by Hamid to provide Rassoul the opportunity to speak and interact with the international community and world leaders.

If Qayum makes his formal announcement to contest, he could possibly emerge as one of the leading candidate since he is a Pukhtun and ethnicity is poised to play a crucial role in determining the election’s outcome.



Mehmood revealed Qayum is in contact with other political parties to narrow down two names as possible candidates for vice presidents. They will likely belong to other major ethnic groups in the country.

If non-Pukhtun ethnic leaders succeed to agree on a candidate through consensus, the presidential polls will prove as a major threat for the Pukhtuns, Afghanistan’s largest ethnic group.

Though Qayum’s name was earlier mentioned in the Afghan media back in February, a close presidential aide said Hamid did “not want to leave a legacy behind.” This may be in jeopardy if senior Karzai wins the office.

Until now, several coalitions have been formed, but all of them have failed to formally announce a presidential candidate due to apparent differences. Insiders say vigorous consultations are underway behind the scenes.

The Election Union of Afghanistan, a coalition recently formed by 13 parties, fronts and union, mostly comprising non-Pukhtuns from the Northern Alliance, has yet to field its candidate. It was earlier believed to field former foreign minister Dr Abdullah Abdullah. However, senior alliance members, including Uzbek warlord General Abdul Rashid Dostam, have reportedly opposed Abdullah’s nomination. Dostom is now said to be in contact with President Karzai and could jump ship.

Gen Dostum, chairman of the National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan party and chairman of the joint chief of staff of the Afghan National Army, says he demanded the president that the post of the first vice president should be given to the Uzbeks. In the 2009 presidential elections, Hamid had his vice presidents from Tajik and Hazara ethnic groups.

Pukhtun leaders also plan to form their own alliances in the run up to the elections. Former interior minister Ali Ahmad Jalali has been trying to form a counter alliance, while former ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad is reportedly supporting Qayum’s potential candidacy.

According to National Coalition’s spokesperson Fazel Agha Sancharaki, Dr Abdullah will also announce his intent in the coming days. Abdullah is seen as the main rival against the future candidate from the president’s camp.

New alliances are still emerging as Fawzia Koofi, a women rights activist, launched a political movement comprising mostly of women on Thursday. Her aim is to ensure female participation in the elections. Koofi’s official website states she will contest the presidential election.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2013.

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