Frustrated Afghans wonder who is in charge amid cabinet delays and Taliban attacks

KABUL — As Afghanistan begins an uncertain new phase of coalition governance and self-defense against Taliban insurgents, protracted delays in forming a cabinet and filling most top posts in the three-month-old administration have left public agencies in disarray and Afghans wondering who is in charge.

This week, as the last Western combat troops left Afghanistan, President Ashraf Ghani hailed a new era of national pride and independence in a televised speech from his palace. He said that the country has “passed two difficult tests” with transitions to a new civilian government and military control and that the next challenge is to build a solid economy.

“Your sons went home, but our sons will continue to sacrifice for Afghanistan,” Ghani said, referring to the departed U.S. and NATO troops. “Today our forces take full responsibility for the entire country, and Afghanistan’s security will lead to world security.”

Ghani and his advisers have continued to ask for patience after failing to meet several deadlines to form a cabinet. Last week, the president met with a group of legislators and promised to announce the first group of nominees by next week, but several parliamentary leaders said they were so fed up that they might refuse to ratify his choices.

Palace aides say the appointment process has been delayed by conflicting demands for professional competence, ethnic balance and political rewards, as Ghani and Abdullah have divided key agencies and negotiated over candidates.  

The prolonged absence of senior managers has had both annoying and worrisome effects. At the Ministry of Education, some teachers have gone without pay for months, and routine paperwork, such as changing a child’s school enrollment, is taking weeks. At the Ministry of Refugees, no one answered telephones in several management offices last week, and no one at the reception desk knew the whereabouts of the acting minister.   Read More at  Washingtonpost