(Afghanistan and Federalism)
(Part 16)
Federal, meaning alliance, contract or agreement, and it is a political concept in which a group of states and countries are committed together and make a central government which represent all of them. The term of federalism is also used to describe a system of government in which sovereignty is divided according to the constitution between the central government and its political units (such as states and countries).
The Dangers of Federalism in Afghanistan
Federal-structured countries are generally transformed into a federal system during the initial formation and foundation or alliance with several regions, such as Germany (East and West alliance) or the United States, or during a re-formation, for example, when the war is over or a country collapses (such as Iraq or Russia) they are transformed into a federal system. In fact, so far, no unified country has changed its method to federal system to strengthen the presence of ethnic groups or to democratize the structure of the country. Federalism does not mean to raise the level of service to a province. The federal based-system governments are constantly being offered to other nations, States, independence-seeking and autonomous minorities in the world to doctrinate that Federalism System, satisfy and facilitate the formation of a new country toward stability, renovation of the country and the unity among several nations.
Federalism is one kind from various types of government in the world. One of the worst types of federalism is the ethnic federal type, which will not bring any result for multi-ethnic countries like Afghanistan, other than creating divisions and further separation among its ethnic groups. In the federal system, each region must be separated based on their economic power, culture and identity, meanwhile, they must live with other regions in the form of a country, and this leads to internal conflicts due to inequalities between different climatic and geographical conditions.
In Afghanistan, there are two groups of people who speak and favor the federal system: 1) Nepotism who consciously think about the disintegration of Afghanistan and the establishment of their ethnic country, see federalism as a prelude to achieving their goal.
2) Those who, unconsciously and due to lack of information, raise this issue in a dreamy and romantic way, do not know that this issue can eventually become a bitter nightmare for the people of Afghanistan. Those people think that because the United States, Germany and other developed countries are federal, we must also build a federal country. Enforcement of all the laws of others in other countries cannot be practically performed; Like the order of removing Hijab in the time of Amir Amanullah Khan, which put the country in chaos and misery. Afghanistan has always undergone and faced tensions, incitement, discord and interference from major powers.
Afghanistan is a country that thousands years has been passed since its establishment and its special identity. Afghan ethnic groups have a lot in common in terms of language and religious diversity, and it can be said that their common points are more than their differences. Historical, cultural, Afghan national traditions and common religion are the strong foundations of a national identity in the country. Afghan tribes have shared bitter and sweet experiences throughout the history. The political challenges (the Issue of Disintegration and Separatism) are all relate to the recent half century which are rooted in the colonial ideas of "Divide and Rule." The existence of diverse ethnic groups does not mean moving the country towards disintegration. Because all those tribes have a role in demanding a safe political environment, economic development, increasing Afghanistan's international credibility and promoting the dignity of the people. A clear example is the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in which all ethnic groups consider themselves part of this community and have role in all aspects of the country’s affairs.