CEO Abdullah on Monday said that the governor of Balkh Atta Mohammad Noor’s resignation was agreed on 15 days before the announcement.
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CEO of the National Unity Government (NUG) Abdullah Abdullah on Monday at the Council of Ministers Meeting broke his silence over Atta Mohammad Noor’s resignation and said: “I always said that it must not happen but it was decided 15 days before the announcement.”
“Accepting of Noor's resignation was President Ghani's move. I always said that it must not happen but it was decided 15 days before the announcement. I hope this issue is solved without any problems,” Abdullah said.
“The resignation was not my decision,” he said adding that this issue must be resolved peacefully so as to not affect the system.
He also said that: “Unfortunately we have missed opportunities in the past three years but it does not mean we have not made an effort.”
He believes that the NUG agreement has not been fully implemented but the formation of such a government was needed.
“During the formation of the NUG no one was in talks with President Ghani, except myself,” he said, adding that “if the NUG's agreement was implemented fully, today maybe we would not have issues. I believe in the participation of the people in the system.”
“We are thinking about people's interests, flexibility does not mean that this is a weakness,” he pointed said.
Abdullah urged politicians to consider their responsibility.
His comments comes two days after, Balkh governor Noor lashed out at Abdullah and said Jamiat-e-Islami party made a mistake in having backed him during elections.
He said at a ceremony, to commemorate the death anniversary of ex-Mujahedeen leader Zabihullah Shaheed, that no one had worked harder for Abdullah than himself during the elections and that the CEO shows no gratitude for this.
He said Abdullah was "a snake up everyone's sleeve" and that he was trying to divide the party - after having risen to power through Jamiat.
Noor was however adamanent that despite government's attempt to oust him as provincial governor this week, he was still Balkh's leader.
He said that he had not been appointed by "official letters (decree)" and could therefore not be fired by "letters".
Noor said he has told the Presidential Palace on many occasions that they cannot forcibly remove him as Balkh governor.
Noor said: "I have said many times that no one can remove me with a decree."
He also expressed his disatisfaction over the division of power within the NUG and said that the agreement to fill certain cabinet seats with Jamiat members was not being adhered to.
He said at time of the NUG’s establishment he had discussed the division of seats in cabinet and had played an active role in the negotiations. He said there were ministerial positions that should have been filled by Jamiat members.
Abdullah is a Jamiat-e-Islami party member, Noor said adding that the party had the right to change its candidate.
But Noor was adamant that he would stay on as Balkh governor until such time as Jamiat decided otherwise. He says his reason for staying on as governor is to make sure development in Balkh continues and that Daesh is prevented from taking a foothold in the province.
Noor thanked all those who had come out in support of him in the past week and said the First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum said his forces were ready to support Noor if needed. He also said he received the same support from second deputy CEO Mohaqeq.
He also stated that the "the international community won’t sell the people of Afghanistan for two doctors", this was in reference to President (Dr) Ashraf Ghani and Dr Abdullah.
He said the Presidential Palace and the CEO's office must not use the international community and foreign forces to put pressure on him.
