New Cabinet Appointments 'Priority,' Says Palace

On Sunday, President Ghani appointed Ahmad Jawed Osmani as the acting minister of public health, replacing Ferozuddin Feroz, who served in the post for five years.
“One of the priorities of the Afghan government is to send nominees for cabinet posts for approval to Afghanistan’s parliament. There has been some progress in this respect,” presidential spokesman Sediq Sediqqi said.
Abdullah’s aides said filling their allotted positions in independent directorates has not been finalized, and critics said this should not take up an undue amount of time, considering the other priorities facing the government including the fight against COVID-19 and the peace efforts.
“Politicians have been asked to bring their lists of those eligible for the cabinet, and, of course, those who are eligible will find their way to the cabinet. But the discussion is still underway on some topics--on independent directorates and some other institutions,” Abdullah’s aide Fazl Ahmad Manawi said.
“The inclusive government’s cabinet should be introduced as soon as possible and it should encompass all political parties and movements,” said Shahzada Massoud, a former presidential adviser.
The political rift between President Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah continued for more than two months but they signed a political agreement last month to break the political stalemate and form an inclusive government. Abdullah started his work in the office as the head of the High Council for National Reconciliation on Saturday, May 30.