Afghanistan President’s Oath-Taking Ceremony Rocked With Bomb Blasts and Firing

When Ghani was concluding his thank you speech, multiple rocket fires could be heard with the firing of bullets, which rattled those present at the ceremony.

Kabul| A bomb blast and firing could be heard while Afghanistan’s President Ashraf Ghani was administered the oath to his office. Several gunshots were heard while he spoke to people attending the event.

When Ghani was concluding his thank you speech, multiple rocket fires could be heard with the firing of bullets, which rattled those present at the ceremony.

It remains unclear whether the blasts were part of any terrorist attack.

Today, two rival leaders of Afghanistan were sworn-in in separate ceremonies. This comes after the US- Taliban peace deal that’s supposedly going down with unpleasant conclusion after the chaos. Today’s proceedings will further create a dilemma for the United States regarding how they want to go ahead with the peace deal with the Taliban.

President Ashraf Ghani was declared a winner in last year’s elections in September. However, his rival Abdullah Abdullah had claimed fraudulence in the elections and had filed the complaint with the elections commission. Abdullah has so far refused to settle the differences with Ghani.

Today, President Ghani took oath in the Presidential Palace while Abdullah took oath in the next door Sapedar Palace. Bith the ceremonies were held at the same time.

While Ashraf was concluding, several rocket fires could be heard in the background. The rockets landed outside the presidential house, sources said. The sudden attack caused panic in the people present for the ceremony. Ghani urged people to keep calm.

The experts fear that the rift between the leadership of Afghanistan may lead to more violence, either internally or with Taliban insurgents.