Before polls, warlords call shots in Afghanistan

Afghanistan's remote north-eastern Badakshan province was fortunate to escape the worst of 23 years of war. But even here, the once heroic m...

Afghanistan’s remote north-eastern Badakshan province was fortunate to escape the worst of 23 years of war. But even here, the once heroic mujahideen are today seen as the biggest threat to the introduction of democracy in the country. Ahead of Afghanistan’s elections, posters of many of the 18 candidates in the race, including interim President Hamid Karzai, are visible on the provincial out without a veil. Nevertheless, election posters for the lone woman presidential candidate, Masooda Jalal, are displayed in shops, on walls and on vehicle windscreens.

Badakshan’s population is largely Tajik Sunni Muslim —— it shares a long border with Tndidate, Masooda Jalal, are displayed in shops, on walls and on vehicle windscreens.

Badakshan’s population is largely Tajik Sunni Muslim —— it shares a long border with Tkshan’s population is largely Tajik Sunni Muslim —— it shares a long border with Th Tajikistan. But there is also an Ismaili Shia minority. In Badakshan too, Karzai is the leading candidate. Karzai is expected to sweep the province primarily because he has won the endorsement of Badakshan’s supreme leader, former president Burhanuddin Rabbani.

Rabbani’s son-in-law is one of Karzai’s two vice-presidential running mates. Many warlords swear allegiance to Rabbani. A reason why people in Badakshan, which is now a major source of opium smuggled into Europe, remain apprehensive about the future. Most warlords and tribal chiefs in Afghanistan see the presidential elections as a done deal in favour of Karzai.