Written by: Dr. Javed Arian
A few days ago, a number of Afghan opposition figures once again gathered and attempted to resolve their internal differences by forming a new coalition; differences that not only did not resolve after this coalition, but have expanded even further.
At the end of the meeting, the self-proclaimed leaders of the parties and other notorious figures issued a statement, all of them signing their approval at the end of the declaration. But what were the contents of this declaration, and did it benefit the people of Afghanistan, or was it, as always, only in their own personal interests? Questions that we will address in the remainder of this article.
The Materials Mentioned in this Coalition’s Statement:
- Safeguarding Independence and Territorial Integrity:
These infamous figures in the contemporary history of Afghanistan are talking about independence and territorial integrity at a time when the republic collapsed, even tho it was composed of these very figures. Afghanistan was under direct American occupation for twenty years, and in addition, other countries in the region and the world played an active role in every vital decision of this country.
In other words, the suffering people of Afghanistan, during the rule of these corrupt individuals, not only did not enjoy true independence but also fought for many years against these foreign-loving mercenaries to achieve it.
- Preventing Afghanistan from Becoming a Battleground for Foreign Competition:
Another point in this statement was to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a battleground for foreign competition. Truly, how can these people express such demands and hide behind such slogans when Afghanistan, during the previous republic, had become not a country but a battleground for the power struggles of other nations.
The political competition of foreign countries in Afghanistan was only one aspect of these conflicts. Afghanistan became so lawless during the rule of these individuals that other countries even tested their bombs on this land, such as the US testing the “Mother of Bombs.”
- Human Rights Enforcement:
The slogan of defending human rights has long been used as a tool to achieve political goals. The notorious fugitive republicans, following the example of their masters, also use this slogan as a tool and talk about efforts to uphold human rights in Afghanistan in every gathering and meeting.
This is while the dark record of each of these figures during the twenty-year republic and especially during the dark period of the civil wars is filled with the murder and bloodshed of innocent people whose blood was shed unjustly, including Dostum, who is considered the number one perpetrator of the unprecedented crime of Dasht-e-Leili in the history of contemporary Afghanistan.
- Preventing property confiscation and forced displacement:
Another demand of these individuals in their new coalition’s statement was the end of the Afghan government’s seizure of property and forced displacement of people; a demand that first reminds people of the inseparable characteristic of these individuals, those who have made full use of their power and force to seize private and government properties. After their escape, thousands of acres of confiscated land were left behind.
Lands that the new government has been fully committed to reclaiming, resulting in the recovery of thousands of acres from the usurpers. It should be mentioned that among these, the statistics of lands seized by warlords, who may have even built resettlement towns, are also significantly high.
- Preventing the sale of natural resources without public oversight:
Preventing the sale of Afghanistan’s resources is another point mentioned in this statement; these are the very mines and resources that were undoubtedly considered God-given blessings for the people of Afghanistan, but were used by these individuals like wood to fuel their party and groups wars, and a large amount of it was plundered without the people of Afghanistan even being aware.
But now the flow of mining in Afghanistan has completely changed. Now, instead of being the tinder for civil wars, mines are healing old wounds and forming the fundamental pillars of Afghanistan’s economy; great blessings that have made Afghanistan independent of aid from other countries and helped preserve its independence.
- Creating transparency in humanitarian aid:
While the statement emphasizes transparency in humanitarian aid, historical experience shows that during their time in power, these individuals not only never adhered to transparency in aid distribution, but also diverted many of the human and financial resources allocated to the needy for their personal and party interests.
Throughout this time, the people of Afghanistan witnessed how international aid, instead of reaching the poor, was seized by warlords and corrupt officials for their own benefit and that of their networks.
In conclusion, it can be said that this coalition’s statement not only does not reflect the true interests of the Afghan people, but is above all an attempt to restore the political image and superficial legitimacy of these notorious figures.
Slogans like defending independence, human rights, transparency, and preserving national resources, in practice, reveal the historical experience and track record of these individuals, which is mostly for propaganda purposes and has no other goal than to cover up past corruption and failures.
Therefore, this statement is not hopeful for the people but rather a reminder of the same failed policies and personal interests that have brought decades of suffering and damage to Afghanistan.
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