Afghan warlord challenges Karzai in presidential election

The incumbent Afghan President Hamid Karzai faces fierce challenges from warlords as the multi-ethnic Afghanistan is approaching the first-ever presidential election.

One of the Afghan prominent warlords, Uzbek General Abdul Rashid Dostum, announced his candidacy for the race on Thursday with the support of other two powerful warlords.

Dostum, a strong man in the north of the war-torn country, announced his decision at a gathering to contest the forthcoming presidential election scheduled for Oct. 9, Dostum's representative Akbar Bai disclosed.

Dostum heads the moderate Islamic party of National Islamic Movement of Afghanistan, and enjoys the support of two other major warlords, Ismael Khan and Atta Mohammad, in the north of Afghanistan.

"On behalf of Herat's governor, a three-member delegation attended the gathering and promised their support to Dostum's candidacy," Akbar Bai told Xinhua.

Ismael Khan, the governor of Western bordering province of Herat and an important figure in Afghan political rivalry, has also influence in the adjoining four provinces.

General Sabour, who represented General Atta at the conference, announced Atta's support to Dostum's candidacy, Dostum's spokesman Akbar Bai confirmed.

Atta, a prominent regional military leader based in Mazar-i-sharif, has been appointed recently as governor of northern Balkh province.

Dostum, according to local observers, has been enjoying the support of northern people particularly the minorities such as Uzbeks, Hazaras and Turks due to his significant role in the US-led war on terror which led to the collapse of Taliban regime in late 2001.

The regional military strongman who serves as a special advisor to Karzai on military and security affairs has rendered his resignation from his post but Karzai has yet to approve it.

"Dostum's request for resignation is under review," presidential spokesman Hamid Elmi said.

Dostum is the 22nd presidential aspirants registering his name with the Election Commission to run for president in the post-war nation, the Joint Electoral Management Body (JEMB) confirmed to Xinhua.

The process of registration for the presidential candidates as per schedule would be closed at 4 p.m. local time on July 26. Karzai has planned to register his name with JEMB as the possible last candidate next Monday.

Source: Xinhua