Abdullah Abdullah

Abdullah Abdullah
Name	Abdullah Abdullah
Caption	Abdullah Abdullah in 2014
Office	Chief Executive of Afghanistan
Term start	29 September 2014
Term end	11 March 2020
President	Ashraf Ghani
Predecessor	Office established
Successor	Office abolished
Office1	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Term start1	22 December 2001
Term end1	20 April 2005
President1	Hamid Karzai
Predecessor1	Office re-established
Successor1	Rangin Dadfar Spanta
Birth date	5 September 1960
Birth place	Kabul, Kingdom of Afghanistan
Party	Coalition for Change and Hope
Otherparty	National Coalition of Afghanistan, National Front of Afghanistan
Alma mater	Kabul University
Profession	Ophthalmologist, Politician

Abdullah Abdullah. He is a prominent Afghan politician and former ophthalmologist who served as the Chief Executive of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan from 2014 to 2020. A key figure in post-2001 Afghan politics, he has held significant positions including Foreign Minister and was a senior adviser to Ahmad Shah Massoud. His career has been defined by his opposition to the Taliban and his involvement in major political agreements and contentious presidential elections.

Early life and education

He was born in 1960 in the Kart-e-Parwan neighborhood of Kabul to a Pashtun father from the Mohammadzai tribe and a Tajik mother. His father, Ghulam Muhayuddin Aba, was a senator during the reign of Mohammed Zahir Shah. He attended the prestigious Habibia High School in Kabul before enrolling at Kabul University's Faculty of Medicine, graduating with a degree in ophthalmology in 1983. His education was interrupted by the Soviet–Afghan War, during which he joined the Mujahideen resistance.

Medical career

Following his graduation, he worked as an ophthalmologist at the Noor Eye Hospital in Kabul. His medical career was swiftly overtaken by the war, and he soon began providing medical treatment to wounded Mujahideen fighters on the front lines. This work brought him into close contact with the resistance movement, leading to his political and military involvement. He later continued his medical studies and practice briefly in Pakistan during the civil war period.

Political career

His political ascent began as a close aide and adviser to the famed resistance commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, serving as his spokesperson and later as a senior member of the Northern Alliance. Following the United States invasion of Afghanistan and the Bonn Agreement, he was appointed as the Foreign Minister in the Afghan Interim Administration under Hamid Karzai in December 2001. He served in this role until 2005, representing Afghanistan on the world stage at forums like the United Nations and engaging with key allies including the United States, the European Union, and neighboring countries like Iran and Pakistan.

2014 and 2019 presidential campaigns

He first ran for president in the 2009 election, finishing second. He emerged as a major contender again in the 2014 election, running against Ashraf Ghani. The election was marred by allegations of massive fraud, leading to a political crisis. A protracted audit, mediated by United States Secretary of State John Kerry, resulted in the formation of a National Unity Government. He ran a second time against Ghani in the 2019 election, which was also disputed; he rejected the results and held a parallel inauguration ceremony in 2020.

Chief Executive of Afghanistan (2014–2020)

Under the political agreement brokered by John Kerry, the new position of Chief Executive was created for him, serving under President Ashraf Ghani. His tenure was marked by a difficult power-sharing arrangement, ongoing tensions with the Presidential Palace, and the continued struggle against a resurgent Taliban. During this period, he also chaired the High Council for National Reconciliation and was a key figure in peace efforts, including engaging with international stakeholders like the United States and Qatar during negotiations in Doha.

Post-2021 activities and exile

Following the collapse of the Afghan republic and the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, he left the country. He has since been living in exile, reportedly between Doha, Turkey, and other locations. In exile, he has remained an active voice, criticizing the Taliban government and calling for an inclusive political settlement. He has participated in various international conferences and dialogues concerning the future of Afghanistan, engaging with entities like the European Parliament and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Category:Afghan politicians Category:1960 births Category:Foreign ministers of Afghanistan