The Chief Executive of Afghanistan’s National Unity Government (NUG) on Thursday evening said the cabinet has not been finalized, but assured that the majority of the cabinet will be introduced in a matter of days.
Abdullah Abdullah, the chief executive, said that if the all 25 ministries are not finalized, the government will go ahead and announce the majority that has been concluded.
“The cabinet has not yet been completed,” he said. “If the entire cabinet is not formed, we will still introduce the majority that has been finalized.”
Sources close to President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah stated that both officials have agreed on 17 ministries and talks on three other ministries are underway, hinting that 20 ministries may be concluded in advance of the London Conference.
Tolo News quoted political analyst Mohammad Natiqi and Afghan Member of Parliament Fatima Aziz as expressing similar concerns of the formation of the cabinet prior to the conference explaining that if the cabinets are not introduced, acting ministers and officials will attend the conference increasing the risk of jeopardizing international aid and commitment.
If the National Unity Government does not introduce the new cabinet in time, the current 25 acting ministers, 34 acting governors and 63 acting political figures will be representing the newly formed unity government.