Where Mr. Karzai should begin the clean up

While congratulating his appointment as the President of Afghanistan by the Elections Commission world leaders have unanimously called on Hamid Karzai to curb corruption and warlordism in his new administration. Some have rightly argued that the future of post-Taliban Afghanistan and Mr. Karzai hinges on the kind of government he will make and the kind of governance his officials will deliver in the country.

As time for his re-inauguration approaches Mr. Karzai has been increasingly called upon from inside and outside Afghanistan to sack inefficient and corrupt ministers and bring in new and competent figures into his cabinet.

Easy it is to demand uncorrupt and talented individuals to run Afghanistan’s predatory ministries and deliver swift, efficient and reliable services but extremely difficult it will be to find such individuals in Mr. Karzai’s notorious entourage.

In February 2007 when in a newspaper article I warned President Karzai about a dangerous mafia which had dominated his Arg and his decision-making environment, his immediate aides distortedly presented the newspaper to him as a proof of my personal vendetta against the President. By then the President had offered me a job in his office but some of the President’s senior staff – who had and still have a powerful network in the Arg – opposed me.

The power and influence of those aiding Mr. Karzai in the day-to-day presidency and decision-making has not been fully recognized widely. His Chief of Staff, National Security Advisor and a plethora of senior advisors and aides wield tremendous influence on Mr. Karzai’s decisions and his vision and outlook about domestic and international issues. Mr. Karzai has broken numerous personal promises and has drastically altered his position on many occasions because of the gossiping and misinformation he receives from his influential aides and senior staffers.

Historically the President/King’s court, the Arg, has been the ultimate source of hope for the Afghan people. When people face problems in the ministries in Kabul or in government departments in the provinces they knock the President’s door and expect justice and support.

However, over the past several years the distance and misunderstanding between the ordinary people and the Presidential Arg has increasingly expanded. Often only delegates that have links with the President’s senior staffers find their way to meet Mr. Karzai, and too often the President signs on petitions which are filtered in the Arg’s manipulated and corrupted administrative procedures.

Lacking a strong intellectual capacity and leadership experience Mr. Karzai has easily been manipulated by a group of inner officials who ostensibly serve the President but in reality maintain illicit personal, ideological and tribal gains.

As the Afghan people and the international community press Mr. Karzai to uproot corruption, sack incompetent officials, weaken warlords and improve governance there are strong risks he would let down all if he continues to be surrounded by the old circles in the Arg.

The clean up and a new beginning must start from the President’s office and must vigorously entail his close aides, advisers and staffers.

An immensely transparent and strategic vetting process should be set up through which the President could choose his immediate staff and advisers. The international community’s representatives in Kabul must also provide support in due process and make sure the President is served by the right caliber of individuals.

Unless the Arg is purged from the mafia the next Afghan government will be no better than what has already been experienced and Mr. Karzai will only promise again and fail again to deliver in deeds.