Le rôle des élites dans la démocratisation : la tentative afghane (1946-1973)

Résumé du document

Depuis l'intervention américaine en 2001 et la débandade des talibans, l'Afghanistan avance, tant bien que mal, vers la démocratie. Imposé de l'extérieur par l'action des États-Unis et de la communauté internationale, le processus de démocratisation n'est donc pas naturel, en ce sens qu'il n'a pas émergé suite à de forts changements internes. Cette démocratisation particulière est issue d'une planification violente et abrupte initiée par une puissance étrangère sans aucune considération des réalités historiques, sociales, religieuses, culturelles et politiques du pays. La situation aujourd'hui le démontre : le succès de la démocratisation de l'Afghanistan semble largement remis en cause par le capharnaüm issu des dernières élections (soupçons de fraude, corruption généralisée,...) ainsi que par l'incapacité de la communauté internationale à contrer durablement les talibans, dont l'arrivée à la table des négociations, attendue sous peu, sonnerait le glas d'un Afghanistan démocratique (...)

Extraits

[...] 14) appoints judges and high ranking civil and military officials and grants them retirement in accordance with the provisions of the law. 15) accredits the heads of Afghanistan's diplomatic missions to foreign states; appoints permanent representatives of Afghanistan to international organizations and accepts the credentials of foreign diplomatic representatives. 16) proclaims and ends the state of emergency. 17) remits and pardons sentences. Article 10 Coin is minted in the name of the king. Article 11 The name of the king is mentioned in khutbas (the khutba is an address delivered as a religious rite on occasions specified in the Islamic religion.) Article 12 Medals are awarded by the king in accordance with the terms of the law. [...]

[...] Article 95 The council of ministers lays down the basic lines of the policy of the government and approves those regulations which are within the competence of the government. The prime minister presides over the council of ministers, directs and guides the activities of the government and secures coordination in its work. The prime minister is also responsible for maintaining liaison between the government, on the one side, and the king and the shura (parliament) on the other side. The ministers discharge their duties, as heads of the administrative units, and as members of the government, under the order and guidance of the prime minister within the limitations established by this constitution and the laws. [...]

[...] Article 86 Any person who, in accordance with the provisions of this constitution, is eligible for election to the wolesi jirga (house of the people) may be appointed as the head or member of the government. The head of the government shall be an afghan by birth. The head and members of the government may be appointed from the members of the shura (parliament) or outside of it. Any member of the shura (parliament) appointed as the head or a member of the government shall cease to be a member of the shura (parliament). Article 87 The prime minister and the ministers cannot engage in any other profession during their tenure of office. [...]

[...] D'autre part, de graves problèmes subsistaient : l'influence de l'administration restait donc fragile et le ralentissement économique, à la fin des années soixante, entretenait un malaise au sein de la population. Le développement du pays stagnait, la modernité tardait à s'installer autre part que dans la capitale[26]. Jusqu'en 1973, la situation se détériora, notamment à cause de la sécheresse de 1972 et des famines engendrées. Le fondamentalisme prenait par ailleurs de l'ampleur en réaction à cette modernisation incontrôlée. Finalement, tous ces facteurs furent à l'origine du coup d'État du 17 juillet 1973 : profitant du séjour en Italie de Zahir Shah, Daoud renversa la monarchie, instaurant une République. [...]

[...] Article 66 The members of the wolesi jirga (house of the people) may put questions to the government. Debate on the government explanation depends upon the decision of the house. Article 67 The members of the shura (parliament) may ask questions from the prime minister or the ministers about specific subjects. Persons thus asked are bound to furnish a verbal or written answer. This answer shall not be made subject of debate. Article 68 The wolesi jirga (house of the people) is competent to appoint, on proposal from one third of its members, an enquiry commission to investigate and study the conduct of the government and the actions of the administration. [...]