ARG states Ghani has the right to summarily dismiss a minister

Following questions raised over the legitimacy of President Ashraf Ghani’s move to fire public health minister Ahmad Jawad Osmani this week, the Presidential Palace (ARG) stated the president has the authority to dismiss senior government officials as he sees fit.

Osmani was fired this week after a number of public health ministry officials were arrested on charges of corruption.

ARG noted in the statement: “According to Article 64, Item 11 of the Constitution of Afghanistan, the President has the authority to appoint and dismiss senior government officials. The constitution is clear on this.”

ARG also confirmed that Osmani was fired on December 31 as per presidential Decree 13969.

The decision does not need to be “further discussed or reviewed,” read the statement adding that an acting minister would soon be appointed.

Earlier in the week, ARG stated Osmani had resigned but in a video message Osmani refuted the claim and said he had been asked to step down but had refused.

He stated the “president asked me to resign and I told him there are no legal obstacles to me continuing my work. But today a letter has been sent from the Administration Office [of the president] stating as if the resignation as minister of public health has been approved… this is a political plot.”

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive of Jamiat Party Atta Mohammad Noor slammed Ghani over the move and said “Ghani’s act was illegal and against the [principles of] democracy.”

Noor said his party is holding consultations over Ghani’s move and will announce its “stance” at a later stage.