Government and Politics of Afghanistan

Government Type

Islamic republic

Administrative Divisions

32 provinces (velayat, singular - velayat); Badakhshan, Badghis, Baghlan, Balkh, Bamian, Farah, Faryab, Ghazni, Ghowr, Helmand, Herat, Jowzjan, Kabol, Kandahar, Kapisa, Khowst, Konar, Kondoz, Laghman, Lowgar, Nangarhar, Nimruz, Nurestan, Oruzgan, Paktia, Paktika, Parvan, Samangan, Sar-e Pol, Takhar, Vardak, and Zabol

Legal System

according to the new constitution, no law is contrary to Islam; the state is obliged to create a prosperous and progressive society based on social justice, protection of human dignity, protection of human rights, realization of democracy, and to ensure national unity and equality among all ethnic groups and tribes; the state shall abide by the UN charter, international treaties, international conventions that Afghanistan signed, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must have been born in - and continuously lived in - Afghanistan dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years

Executive Branch

chief of state: Supreme Leader Hibatullah AKHUNDZADA (since 15 August 2021); note - the Taliban takeover on 15 August 2021 dissolved the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan; Akhundzada serves as the paramount authority over all governmental, religious, and military affairs, though he rarely appears in public and governs largely from Kandahar head of government: Acting Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan AKHUND (since 7 September 2021); note - the Taliban-led government has not been formally recognized by any sovereign nation; all cabinet positions are held on an acting basis, as the Taliban have not convened a formal governing body to ratify appointments cabinet: A council of ministers was announced in September 2021, composed entirely of Taliban figures; women are excluded from all cabinet positions; the international community has broadly withheld recognition of the cabinet due to its lack of inclusivity and the Taliban's record on human rights elections: No elections have been held since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021; the Taliban have given no indication of plans to hold democratic elections; under the previous Islamic Republic, the president and two vice presidents were elected by direct vote for a five-year term, with a runoff required if no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the first round election results: The last recognized presidential election was held on 28 September 2019; Ashraf GHANI was declared the winner with approximately 50.64% of the vote in the first round, defeating Abdullah ABDULLAH, who received approximately 39.52%; Ghani fled the country on 15 August 2021 as Taliban forces entered Kabul

Legislative Branch

Following the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, the country's legislative branch effectively ceased to function. The bicameral National Assembly, which had consisted of the Wolesi Jirga or House of People (no more than 249 seats, directly elected for five-year terms) and the Meshrano Jirga or House of Elders (102 seats, divided among provincial council electees, district council electees, and presidential appointees), was dissolved. The Taliban suspended the constitution and disbanded all existing governmental institutions, including the legislature. Under the Taliban-led Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, no functioning parliament exists. The Taliban administration is governed through a Supreme Leader and a council of ministers, operating outside any constitutional or elected framework. No national elections have been held since the Taliban takeover, and there are no announced plans for restoring a legislative body or holding elections. Note: Prior to the Taliban takeover, the government could on rare occasions convene a Loya Jirga (Grand Council) on issues of independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity. This body had the authority to amend constitutional provisions and was composed of members of the National Assembly along with chairpersons of provincial and district councils. This institution, along with all other constitutional mechanisms, is no longer operational under the current Taliban administration.

Judicial Branch

the new constitution establishes a nine-member Stera Mahkama or Supreme Court (its nine justices are appointed for 10-year terms by the president with approval of the Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals Courts; there is also a Minister of Justice; a separate Afghan Independent Human Rights Commission established by the Bonn Agreement is charged with investigating human rights abuses and war crimes

Political Parties

note - includes only political parties approved by the Ministry of Justice: Afghan Millat [Anwarul Haq AHADI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Ghorzang Gond [Shahnawaz TANAI]; De Afghanistan De Solay Mili Islami Gond [Shah Mahmood Polal ZAI]; Harakat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Asif MOHSINEE]; Hezb-e-Aarman-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Iihaj Saraj-u-din ZAFAREE]; Hezb-e-Aazadee Afghanistan [Abdul MALIK]; Hezb-e-Adalat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Kabeer MARZBAN]; Hezb-e-Afghanistan-e-Wahid [Mohammad Wasil RAHEEMEE]; Hezb-e-Afghan Watan Islami Gond [leader NA]; Hezb-e-Congra-e-Mili Afghanistan [Latif PEDRAM]; Hezb-e-Falah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad ZAREEF]; Hezb-e-Libral-e-Aazadee Khwa-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ajmal SOHAIL]; Hezb-e-Hambastagee Mili Jawanan-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Jamil KARZAI]; Hezb-e-Hamnbatagee-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Khaleq NEMAT]; Hezb-e-Harakat-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Nadir AATASH]; Hezb-e-Harak-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ilhaj Said Hssain ANWARY]; Hezb-e-Ifazat Az Uqoq-e-Bashar Wa Inkishaf-e-Afghanistan [Baryalai NASRATEE]; Hezb-e-Istiqlal-e-Afghanistan [Dr. Gh. Farooq NIJZRABEE]; Hezb-e-Jamhoree Khwahan [Sibghatullah SANJAR]; Hezb-e-Kar Wa Tawsiha-e-Afghanistan [Zulfiar OMID]; Hezb-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed AARYAN]; Hezb-e-Mili Wahdat-e-Aqwam-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Shah KHOGYANEE]; Hezb-e-Nuhzhat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Ahmad Wali MASOUD]; Hezb-e-Paiwand-e-Mili Afghanistan [Said Mansoor NADIRI]; Hezb-e-Rastakhaiz-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Said ZAHIR]; Hezb-e-Refah-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mia Gul WASEEQ]; Hezb-e-Risalat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Noor Aqa ROEEN]; Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Mohammad Zubair PAIROZ]; Hezb-e-Sahadat-e-Mili Wa Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Usman SALIGZADA]; Hezb-e-Sulh-e-Mili Islami Aqwam-e-Afghanistan [Abdul Qahir SHARYATEE]; Hezb-e-Sulh Wa Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Qadir IMAMEE]; Hezb-e-Tafahum-e-Wa Democracy Afghanistan [Ahamad SHAHEEN]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Afghanistan [Mohammad Karim KHALILI]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Islami Mardum-e-Afghanistan [Ustad Mohammad MOHAQQEQ]; Hezb-e-Wahdat-e-Mili Afghanistan [Abdul Rasheed Jalili]; Jamahat-ul-Dahwat ilal Qurhan-wa-Sunat-ul-Afghanistan [Mawlawee Samiullah NAJEEBEE]; Jombesh-e Milli [Abdul Rashid DOSTAM]; Mahaz-e-Mili Islami Afghanistan [Said Ahmad GAILANEE]; Majmah-e-Mili Fahaleen-e-Sulh-e-Afghanistan [Shams ul Haq Noor SHAMS]; Nuhzat-e-Aazadee Wa democracy Afghanistan [Abdul Raqeeb Jawid KUHISTANEE]; Nuhzat-e-Hambastagee Mili Afghanistan [Peer Said Ishaq GAILANEE]; Sazman-e-Islami Afghanistan-e-Jawan [Siad Jawad HUSSAINEE]; Tahreek Wahdat-e-Mili [Sultan Mahmood DHAZI] (30 Sep 2004)

Head of State

Supreme Leader Hibatullah AKHUNDZADA

Head of Government

Acting Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan AKHUND

Cabinet

25 ministers; note - under the new constitution, ministers are appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly

Constitution

new constitution drafted 14 December 2003 - 4 January 2004; signed 16 January 2004

Independence

19 August 1919 (from UK control over Afghan foreign affairs)

National Holiday

Coral Sea Islands

International Organization Participation

AsDB, CP, ECO, FAO, G-77, GUUAM, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WToO

Diplomatic Representation in the U.S.

chief of mission: Ambassador Said Tayeb JAWAD chancery: 2341 Wyoming Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] 202-483-6410 FAX: [1] 202-483-6488 consulate(s) general: Los Angeles, New York

U.S. Diplomatic Representation

chief of mission: Ambassador Zalmay KHALILZAD embassy: The Great Masood Road, Kabul mailing address: 6180 Kabul Place, Dulles, VA 20189-6180 telephone: [00] (2) 230-0436 FAX: [0093] (2) 230-1364

Capital City

Kabul

Location

34 31 N, 69 11 E

Time Difference

UTC+4.5 (9.5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

History

named for the Kabul River, but the river's name is of unknown origin

The U.S. Embassy in Kabul Great Massoud (Airport) Road Telephone: 93 (0)700-108-001 or 93 (0)700-108-002 Emergency after-hours telephone: 93 (0)700-108-001 E-mail: KabulACS@state.gov

Military Branches

Afghan Armed Forces: Afghan National Army (ANA, includes Afghan Air Force (AAF))

Service Age and Obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary military service; no conscription