Acting FM Rabbani’s Absence in Riyadh Summit Sparks Criticism

President Ashraf Ghani was being criticized as he left Kabul for attending the Arab-Islamic-American summit in Riyadh on Saturday without accompanying the acting Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani.

The conference hosts leaders from 50 Muslim nations where the sides will discuss on counter-terrorism issues in Riyadh of Saudi Arabia.

A number of political figures closed to Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said that the President has sidelined Foreign Minister Rabbani and monopolized the domestic politics and foreign policy.

“The Foreign Ministry has weakened following impeachment and the Foreign Minister was being absent in most international summits,” Fazl Ahmad Manawi, a close figure to CE Abdullah said. “The Presidential Palace attempting to sideline the share-power partners which is dangerous.”

Presidential Palace and the Foreign Affairs Ministry not commented so far in regard. But Afghan lawmakers said the Foreign Minister is more engaged in personal meetings.

“The Foreign Minister should not sideline himself, he should prove his presence. His absence at the ministry and decision makings causes him to be sidelined in the meetings,” said a parliament member, Munawar Shah Bahaderi.

Salahuddin Rabbani is also the head of Jamiat Islami party and a close figure to CE Abdullah. He was nominated by Abdullah for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; however, recently the President said the appointment at the ministry is based on patronage.

By Fawad Nasiri and Shakib Mahmud