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Creating a New Government for Afghanistan

By Kathryn Hoffman

Representatives from four rival Afghan groups reached an important agreement about the future of their country last week. They set aside their differences and signed a pact to create a temporary new government in Afghanistan.

The decision came after nine days of intense negotiations in Bonn, Germany. The United Nations led the meetings.

On Friday, the Taliban gave up Kandahar, their last stronghold. The new government hopes to take power in Kabul on December 22 and govern for six months.

The 30-member government is made up of a diverse group, including two women. That's quite a change from the Taliban! Hamid Karzai will lead the new government. "The Taliban rule is finished," he declared last week. "They are no longer a part of Afghanistan."

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