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Read, Debate: Engage.
| topic: | Political violence |
|---|---|
| located: | Afghanistan |
| editor: | Shadi Khan Saif |
31 August has now become an annual ‘Victory Day’ for the Taliban in Afghanistan, commemorating the group’s rise to power following 20 years of brutal armed conflict. For the US and its allies, this was just a departure date; but for the millions of Afghan people, it was the zero point in an ongoing vicious cycle of death and destruction.
After a brief period of relative peace and reconstruction before this date, the country has slid back swiftly into the isolated darkness, poverty and terror.
History would judge all involved in this quagmire in black and white, condemning those Afghan authorities who preferred personal gains and committed criminal negligence, as well as their US backers who went through with a destructive exit strategy.
Whether we like it or not, the Taliban is now in command and control of the country and its population of nearly 30 million thanks to the Doha Agreement with the US.
In principle, in the dearth of a constitution, this agreement is the only legal document holding the group accountable to their actions – whether they abide by it is another debate altogether. So, in practice, since 31 August, 2021, the entire country is ruled by a group with an iron fist that lacks any legal framework, and therefore any accountability, balance-of-power or fairness.
After this explanation, the point I would like to make is that this is a doomsday scenario not only for Afghanistan but also for the entire world.
How?
A population so poor and vulnerable cannot be sustained for too long with shallow promises of aid and little delivery via the humanitarian world, and will eventually succumb to hunger, diseases and migration. Secondly, a group holding such an immense power and control when cornered and not engaged for reforms or accountability will adopt an aggressive attitude, which could result in more terrorism within the country and abroad.
There is a dire need to begin a robust diplomatic push via the UN to hold the Taliban responsible and accountable towards transitioning to a clearer rule of law and provision of rights and services.
The Taliban, on the other end, needs to stop behaving like an armed guerilla since its long-standing excuse about the presence of the foreign forces in Afghanistan is no longer valid. Their ‘victory day march’ with the left-over arms by the US and NATO should no longer be a matter of pride; it should rather focus on reducing the poverty of its people and granting them their basic human rights.
The Taliban must be made to listen and respect diverse and critical views in a effort to evolve rather than ruling over the war-torn country with crude force and fear.
Photo by Wanman uthmaniyyah
