Federalism shifts the problem of power from the government level to the people's level.
Author: Ahmad Saidi, an analyst on Afghanistan and regional issues (Germany), especially for Sangar
Yesterday, Mr. Sarwar Danesh, former Vice President, held a press conference and announced the creation of the Federalists' Assembly of Afghanistan.
After the Federalists' Assembly of Afghanistan was announced, several friends called me and said that I write and comment on any issue, but why don’t you write anything about this assembly?
Dear friends, although I know that many countries like Germany, India, Pakistan, Canada, the USA, and several other countries are also federal, I am a supporter of a federal system or any other system that can bring happiness, unity, and understanding among nations in Afghanistan. I have no objection here.
But I want to share my opinion with you honestly. Namely, because I heard these words from Mr. Sarwar Danesh. I'd like to hear them from someone else.
His Excellency Mr. Sarwar Danesh is a lawyer and for 20 years was the Governor of Daikandi, the Minister of Justice, and the Vice President of Afghanistan for almost 7 years.
Mr. Sarwar Danesh played a key role in the enactment of laws that were passed during the Republican period. And all the laws he passed were against the federal system and the cooperative government. He repeatedly opposed the federal system. But now that he is not vice president, he says these words. I'm ashamed.
Suppose, if tomorrow Mr. Sarwar Danesh becomes Vice President or Law Minister again, will he still talk about a federal system? Without a doubt, no...
Naturally, I am not satisfied with chameleon politicians. It’s a pity that I heard about the federal system from Mr. Danesh.
Let's imagine that we have accepted federalism as a way to solve the problems of past systems, but can we agree on what to do with a national army, national symbols, national currency, foreign policy, national budget, etc.? Will the problem be still the same?
Will the federation states be satisfied with internal autonomy? Given the ongoing interventions in Afghanistan, is it possible for people in the provinces to feel like they belong to the country and the national government?
Beyond the formal framework of federalism, this type of system needs a culture of tolerance and mutual acceptance more than other systems.
Federalism shifts the problem of power from the government level to the people's level and further inflames ethnic, cultural, and linguistic conflicts. We need to do more to transform public culture and ethics. Until we become tolerant and restrained, models will not be the solution to our problems.
