When it comes to appointment of provincial/district mayors and governors and judicial authorities, selection of ministers and senators or decision on any other important national issue, the President of Afghanistan, mostly issues decrees. In Afghanistan the government system continues to remain greatly centralized. Major authorities are concentrated to presidential palace. Such a centralization of power is being considered a great hindrance for expanding governance beyond Kabul and some provincial capitals.

Decades of war and conflict destructed the bridge between the central government and government at provincial and district levels. Improving the sub-national government has always been a challenge for the central government and its international backers. Despite much effort and spending of millions of dollars by the international community, local governance in Afghanistan remains poor due to existence of insecurity and corruption and the fact that most of the authority is centered in presidential palace.

In Afghanistan provincial and district governors – who are main authorities representing the central government – are appointed by the President, albeit they should be elected by the people through holding proper elections. Nepotism is high. Only people with close ties to high government authorities can secure important positions in the government. Such people can become mayors, governors, senators, ministers, deputy ministers and occupy any other high position in the government. At current, the authorities at local level do not pay any significant attention to the public interests and are busy in promoting their own personal activities. Same is the case with the courts operating at sub-national level.

Prevailing problems at provincial and district levels have made grounds for Taliban and other insurgents/informal groups to operate openly and decide on public matters. Afghanistan is one of the countries that have experienced many years of war, destruction, lack of good governance and civil service. Thus, creating an experienced bureaucratic system in Afghanistan is essential. Making the local government functional, accountable and transparent can reduce problems of central government and help people to participate in the social, economic and political activities.

At the crucial juncture where Afghanistan is standing today, bringing some key reforms in the government and fighting corruption are crucial for the future of stability of Afghanistan. As Afghanistan nears 2014 by the end of which most the US-led troops will be withdrawn, transferring more power to local administration and making them accountable to the public can play a very crucial role in long-term peace and stability in the country. Additionally, the provincial and district governors and mayors should be appointed by the people through a democratic process which is conducting free, fair and transparent election.