PRESS RELEASE: Karzai Elected President: What Next For Afghanistan?

Afghanistan Moves Towards Democracy But Much Remains To Be Done

Citizens for Global Solutions welcomes the election of Hamid Karzai as the first democratically-elected President of Afghanistan. Having won 55.4% of the vote, Karzai is now in a strong position to move forward and unite the country. The United States and the international community can take heart from the remarkable success of the presidential elections. However, the world needs to remain engaged in the process of rebuilding Afghanistan.

“The work of the international community in Afghanistan is far from over,” said Charles J. Brown, President & CEO, Citizens for Global Solutions. “President Karzai’s election was a significant accomplishment, but Afghanistan will not be a democracy until parliamentary elections are held. Their success will be vital to the unity of the country under President Karzai.”

The National Assembly elections were originally schedule to occur at the same time as the Presidential election but were delayed because of security concerns. They are now scheduled for April of 2005.

Brown said, “The election of the National Assembly will give President Karzai’s government the authority it needs to assert sovereignty and demonstrate legitimacy. He needs the support of the National Assembly to extend the influence of the central government into the provinces.”

President Karzai must act quickly to consolidate his control over the central government. As interim President, his cabinet included influential warlords in key positions, which hindered disarmament policies and kept the country divided. During his campaign for President, Karzai pledged to crack down on warlords and exclude drug barons from his new government. Citizens for Global Solutions calls on President Karzai to keep his pledge.

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