20 dead as violence mars Afghan election season start

The violence came on the first day of campaigning for the coming presidential elections

Afghan boys look the site of Sunday's attack in Kabul, Afghanistan July 29, 2019. REUTERS/Mohammad Ismail
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Deadly violence marred the start of Afghanistan's election season at the weekend, after President Ashraf Ghani insisted "peace is coming" to the war-torn nation.

At least 20 people were killed and 50 others wounded on Sunday in an attack against the Kabul office of Mr Ghani's running mate, Amrullah Saleh.

The violence came on the first day of campaigning for the coming presidential elections, serving as a grim reminder of Afghanistan's woeful security situation and the sort of mayhem and murder that have beset previous polls.

The attack began at about 4.40pm , when a blast struck near the office of Green Trend, a youth and reform-focused civil society organisation Mr Saleh heads. He escaped without serious injury, his office said.

The interior ministry said the assault began when a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-packed car at the entrance to the building. Then, three attackers ran inside.

After about six hours the siege ended with all attackers killed and the rescue of about 150 people who had been trapped in the building, according to the interior ministry, which also provided the toll of 20 dead and 50 wounded.

No group claimed responsibility.

Candidates challenging Mr Ghani for the presidency criticised the leader for the country's parlous security situation.

"The government has not paid attention to the candidates' security," said Qadir Shah, the spokesman for Hanif Atmar, one of the top contenders looking to stop Mr Ghani securing a second term at September 28 elections.

Mr Shah told Agence France-Presse news agency that he and 12 other candidates had delayed plans to launch their campaigns, primarily over security concerns but also because they see Mr Ghani as using his office for an unfair advantage.

Mohammad Hakim Torsan, considered a long-shot candidate, said his supporters worry about a repeat of the kind of violence that marred previous polls, when insurgents launched frequent attacks.

"Most of the candidates are worried about the security, but they still have to campaign. The government must provide security for us and the people," Mr Torsan said.

Earlier on Sunday, a buoyant Mr Ghani kicked off his campaign by insisting "peace is coming", after nearly 18 years of conflict, and that pivotal talks with the Taliban would take place.

He is hoping to fend off challenges from 17 other candidates to score a second term in the twice-postponed presidential elections.

On Saturday, Mr Ghani's peace minister, Abdul Salam Rahimi, said direct talks would take place with the Taliban within two weeks as part of a larger, US-led push for peace.

Such a development could be crucial, as the Taliban – who now control or influence about half of Afghanistan – have so far refused to speak to Mr Ghani's government. They consider the Kabul administration illegitimate.

War aside, the country faces a host of major issues before the election, including rocketing crime, a lacklustre economy, soaring unemployment and crumbling infrastructure.

Voters are despondent about the prospects of a fair election. Many worry about a repeat of violent attacks on polling stations by the Taliban and other insurgent groups trying to undermine Afghanistan's fragile democracy.

Mr Ghani insisted this year's vote would be "clean", but distrust is rife.