Written by: Ahmad Wahidi
Every time a number of Afghan opponents’ leaders appear before the cameras, it seems that something significant is about to happen in Afghanistan tomorrow; statements are issued, warnings are given, and discussions revolve around “struggle,” “resistance,” “system change,” and “the future of Afghanistan.” Sometimes, such threats are made that if we only consider the volume of their words, we might think that the political landscape of Afghanistan is on the verge of transformation.
But it is enough to pull back the curtain and compare what is said on the screen with what is happening in the field of reality; then it becomes clear that there is a gap as wide as the earth and the sky between the two.
Their recent online meeting, which they call “Martyr’s Week,” was nothing more than the same repetitive show; another session in a series of meetings held by opponents leaders from outside Afghanistan. In these meetings, figures appear, give speeches, endorse each other, issue warnings, and make threats, and then everyone returns to their place of residence. But Afghanistan remains the same Afghanistan, and the realities within the country continue on their path, indifferent to these performances.
If we follow the trend of online meetings of these groups in recent years, it can be seen that the opponents of the current government are still stuck in the same vicious cycle they began five years ago. Five years ago, when they felt they were being excluded and forgotten from the political and media landscape of Afghanistan, they gathered to shout their presence through the virtual window; today, they have gathered again to prove they are still “active” and their faces will be seen in the media for a while longer.
But the result is still zero!
Neither a unified leadership has emerged, nor a feasible operational plan has been presented, nor have they been able to create an effective and sustainable force within, nor have they been able to establish a real consensus among their scattered groups and figures. In practice, the result of all these meetings and speeches has been nothing but the repetition of past positions and claims among themselves.
Words that were repeated five years ago are now being repeated again: “Resistance continues.” “Big changes will happen soon.” “The current government will not last.” “Afghanistan is heading toward a crisis.” “There are other options on the table.”
But the reality is that these slogans, just as they have become repetitive and worthless for us and the people of Afghanistan, have also become repetitive and tiresome for their own supporters. Of the developments that they portrayed as imminent and certain a few years ago, not only has there been no news, but there are also no signs of those promises being fulfilled, leaving no glimmer of hope in the hearts of their supporters!
People cannot be forever swayed by slogans. In recent years, the opposition has tried to present themselves as defenders of the people, freedom, human rights, and the future of Afghanistan; however, a politician should be recognized not only by their slogans but also by their history and record.
The people of Afghanistan do not have a short political experience. These people have witnessed wars, seen different governments, experienced political coalitions, heard grand slogans, and listened to numerous promises. Therefore, they never fall for the grandiose slogans of those whose political history is marked by disgraceful deals and shameful betrayals. They do not fall for those who want to sail their political trade ship through the blood of the people by exploiting their pure emotions and necessities.
Online meetings of the opposition, no matter how grandly titled and loudly proclaimed, cannot change reality. The camera can magnify faces, but it cannot increase their political weight; raising one’s voice does not necessarily mean having the ability.
Reality does not change with speeches; it changes with ability, planning, organization, public trust, and action; and the main problem of the opponents is precisely here: what they have in front of the camera is much more than what they have in the field of reality.
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