Image source, Getty Images
The former president of Afghanistan decided to leave the country after the Taliban captured the country earlier this year. He now says he made the decision to prevent the destruction of Kabul.
The Taliban seized power after capturing the Afghan capital in August.
When he woke up on August 15, Ashraf Ghani said he had no indication that it would be his last day in Afghanistan.
Kani told BBC Radio 4’s Today’s show that he realized he was leaving when his plane took off from Kabul.
He was severely criticized and accused of leaving the country at that time. He is now in the United Arab Emirates.
Ashraf Ghani made the remarks in an interview with former British Chief of Defense Staff General Sir Nick Carter, who was a guest host on BBC Radio 4’s Today’s program on Thursday.
“When the day began, Taliban fighters agreed not to enter Kabul, but two hours later it did not,” Ashraf Ghani recalled.
He added, “Two different factions of the Taliban approached in two different directions.
Gani then allowed his wife and national security adviser to leave Kabul. Later, he waited for a car to take him to the Ministry of Defense.
But the car never arrived. Instead, the president’s security chief went to him and said that if Ashraf Gani took a stand, “they would all be killed.”
Speaking about it, he said, “He did not give me more than two minutes. I had instructions to leave for the city of Coast.
I had no idea where we were going. It was only when we left there that it became clear that we were leaving Afghanistan. So it really happened suddenly, “said Ashraf Gani.
Following his departure from Afghanistan, Kani was severely criticized by many, including his deputy, Amrullah Saleh, in Afghanistan. Amrullah Saleh called it “disgraceful.”
Lucy Tolsett
BBC International Chief Correspondent
The Taliban’s capture did not end overnight. But many insist that Ashraf Ghani’s sudden secret departure on August 15 broke a deal.
Image source, AP IMAGES
After all, the Taliban are sure to dominate. But the vacuum created by the man who repeatedly vowed, “I will fight to the death,” added to the confusion. Many criticize him for what he did not do in previous years, rather than what he did on August 15.
It is true that by the Americans he was treated as weak, but he acted poorly in it.
He is now more widely seen as a professor than as a politician. He misunderstood American politics and the changing situation on the ground faster than the Taliban.
His latest account will be disconnected, debated and rejected for a long time.
“I did not take any money from the country”
Allegations also surfaced that Ashraf Gani had taken large sums of money. He categorically denies it. He also welcomes international investigations.
“I want to say for sure. I’m not taking any money out of the country. Everyone knows my lifestyle. What do I do with the money?” Says.
Gani also acknowledged that mistakes had been made, including “assuming that the patience of the international community will last.”
However, he pointed to the agreement reached between the Taliban and the United States under then-President Donald Trump. That led to the events leading up to what happened on August 15th.
“Instead of peace action, we have a process of retreat. The way the deal was done has destroyed us,” Gani said.
Image source, Getty Images
Under the terms of the agreement, the United States agreed to reduce its forces and the forces of its allies. It also agreed to transfer prisoners. After that, the militant group agreed to hold talks with the Afghan government.
Negotiations do not work: In the summer of 2021, US President Joe Biden promised to withdraw the last troops by September 11. The Taliban spread throughout Afghanistan and took city after city.
What happened in the end was “a violent conspiracy. It was not a political agreement or a political process involving the people,” Ashraf Ghani said.
The same day Kani left Kabul, the Taliban took control of it. Since then, the country has been plunged into a humanitarian and economic crisis. The removal of international support after they seized power exacerbated the situation.
Gani says he is ready to take responsibility for some of the things that led to the fall of Kabul 3 months later, as he hopes in the “international alliance.”
Ashraf Gani added, “However, my career was ruined. My values were trampled on. I was sacrificed with these.”
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