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Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Flag of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg
Flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Emblem of Afghanistan (2013–2021).svg
Member of Cabinet
Reports to President
Seat Kabul
Appointer Direct election
Term length Five years, renewable once
Formation
  • 19 February 1978 (1978-02-19) (original)
  • 7 December 2004 (2004-12-07) (latest form)
First holder Sayyid Abdullah
Final holder
Abolished 15 August 2021 (2021-08-15)

The Vice President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was a very important political job in Afghanistan. This person was the second-highest leader in the country. Vice presidents were chosen at the same time as the President. Before an election, a presidential candidate would pick two people to be their vice presidents. This important role no longer exists, as the office was ended on August 15, 2021.

Early History of the Vice President Role

The idea of a "deputy" or "vice president" in Afghanistan started a long time ago.

The First Deputy

King Amanullah Khan created the first version of this role in 1926. He called it "Yawar," which means "Deputy." Later, it was known as "First Deputy Assistant." The first person to hold this position was Mahmoud Khan Shaghasi.

Title Name Took office Left office Notes
First Deputy Assistant Mahmoud Khan Shaghasi June 1926 January 1929 King Amanullah Khan created this role when he set up a constitutional monarchy.

The Republic of Afghanistan (1973–1978)

Later, when Afghanistan became a republic, the role of Vice President was officially created.

Title Name Took office Left office President Notes
Vice President Sayyid Abdullah 19 February 1978 29 April 1978 Mohammed Daoud Khan He was also the Minister of Finance.

Changes in Leadership Roles

Over the years, the way Afghanistan was governed changed many times. This also changed the roles of its leaders.

The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan

Between 1978 and 1988, the second-highest leader was called the Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council. This council was a group that held power during that time. Many different people held this position.

Title Name Took office Left office Chairman
Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council Babrak Karmal 1 May 1978 June 1978 Nur Muhammad Taraki
Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council Hafizullah Amin March 1979 September 1979 Nur Muhammad Taraki
Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council Sultan Ali Keshtmand December 1979 1981 Hafizullah Amin
Vice Chairman of the Revolutionary Council Abdul Rashid Arian 18 June 1981 1988 Babrak Karmal / Mohammad Najibullah

The Republic of Afghanistan (1978–1992)

After a new constitution was put in place, several vice presidents were chosen. The President appointed them, and the National Assembly (a type of parliament) had to approve them.

Title Name Took office Left office President Notes
Vice President Abdul Rahim Hatif May 1988 April 1992 Mohammad Najibullah He was the First Vice President from July 1991.
Vice President Mohammed Rafie May 1988 April 1992 Mohammad Najibullah
Vice President Abdul Wahed Sorabi May 1988 April 1992 Mohammad Najibullah He was the First Vice President from January 1991.

The Islamic State of Afghanistan

During this period, the president also appointed vice presidents.

Title Name Took office Left office President Notes
Vice President Abdul Rasul Sayyaf July 1992 August 1992 Burhanuddin Rabbani
Vice President Mawlawi Mir Hamza August 1992 January 1993 Burhanuddin Rabbani He passed away while in office.

Modern Vice President Role

After 2001, Afghanistan began to rebuild its government.

Interim and Transitional Administrations

During the Afghan Interim Administration and the Afghan Transitional Administration, there were several "Vice Chairmen" instead of just one or two vice presidents. This was a temporary setup before a new constitution was fully decided.

Title Name Took office Left office Notes
Vice Chairman Hedayat Amin Arsala 22 December 2001 19 June 2002 Represented the Pashtun group.
Vice Chairman Mohammed Fahim 22 December 2001 19 June 2002 A Tajik leader and Defense Minister.
Vice Chairman Sima Samar 22 December 2001 19 June 2002 A Hazara woman, representing the Rome Group.
Vice Chairman Mohammad Mohaqiq 22 December 2001 19 June 2002 A Hazara commander.

The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (2004–2021)

After 2004, the vice presidents were elected along with the president. This meant voters chose both the president and their vice presidents at the same time. There were usually a First Vice President and a Second Vice President.

Title Name Took office Left office Notes
Vice President Hedayat Amin Arsala 19 June 2002 7 December 2004 Appointed for a temporary term.
Vice President Mohammed Fahim 19 June 2002 7 December 2004 Appointed for a temporary term.
First Vice President Ahmad Zia Massoud 7 December 2004 19 November 2009 Elected with President Karzai.
Second Vice President Karim Khalili 7 December 2004 29 September 2014 Elected with President Karzai.
First Vice President Mohammed Fahim 19 November 2009 9 March 2014 Elected with President Karzai.
First Vice President Abdul Rashid Dostum 29 September 2014 19 February 2020 Elected with President Ghani.
Second Vice President Sarwar Danish 29 September 2014 15 August 2021 Elected with President Ghani.
First Vice President Amrullah Saleh 19 February 2020 15 August 2021 Elected with President Ghani.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Vicepresidente de Afganistán para niños

  • List of current vice presidents
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