White House Calls on Quick Resolution of Balkh Dispute

The White House in a statement has called on a quick resolution of the dispute between Atta Mohammad Noor, the ousted Balkh governor, and President Ashraf Ghani over the governorship of Balkh province.

Last month, President Ghani announced that he has approved Noor’s resignation and has appointed Engineer Mohammad Dawoud as his successor.

Noor who is also the chief executive of Jamiat-e-Islami Party of Afghanistan, defied his ouster and vowed that he won’t allow anyone to oust him from the post, except through negotiation.

Washington has repeatedly called on both sides to resolve the issue peacefully and on Wednesday reiterated the call.

“The United States calls on the parties involved to quickly and peacefully resolve this dispute over the transfer of authority to a new governor,” a statement issued by the White House Press Secretary said. “The continued impasse benefits only terrorists and Afghanistan’s adversaries.”

In addition, the statement warns that “there is no space for violence in resolving this matter”.

Trump’s administration urges both sides to consider the interest of Afghanistan over their own interests.

The White House went on to conclude this is an issue for Afghans to decide within the framework of their constitution, and in accordance with the rule of law and the principle of equality before the law.