Amrullah Saleh Calls Taliban Return Anniversary a ‘Day of Mourning’
Amrullah Saleh, Afghanistan’s former vice president, has described the capital Kabul and other cities across the country as “grieving” on the fifth anniversary of the Taliban administration’s return to power, saying the day is a sign of a “national loss” for the people, not an occasion for celebration.
He said that in the streets and roads of Kabul, apart from members of the Taliban administration, no one feels festive, and the atmosphere in Afghanistan’s cities is “like a funeral home.” According to him, the flags installed by the Taliban administration have turned the face of the capital into something resembling a “shroud.”
Saleh also described Afghanistan, from the perspective of its people and the international community, as still an “unresolved case,” saying the country is still seen as an unfinished matter, not a stable nation-state. He added that the Taliban administration’s version cannot treat the current crisis.
The former vice president also criticised how the Taliban administration came to power and called on the group to publish the “hidden annexes of the Doha Agreement.” He said the Taliban administration itself knows it came to power as a result of “a deal.”
In another part of his remarks, Saleh also questioned the Taliban administration’s economic performance, saying the group has spent about 50 billion Afghanis over the past five years on public works and development programmes, but, according to him, has spent several times that amount on a “repressive policy.” He claimed that if the budget were made public, it would become clear that the Taliban administration’s priority is strengthening repressive structures and providing for the livelihood of its forces, not the welfare of the people.
These remarks come as the Taliban administration on Saturday marked the fifth anniversary of its return to power in Kabul and hoisted its flags in a number of cities. Several diplomats, including the ambassadors of Russia and China, were also present at the Kabul ceremony.
At the same time, some citizens on social media referred to 24 Asad as a “black day” in Afghanistan’s modern history and pointed to its bitter political and social consequences. 24 Asad corresponds to 15 August, the day the Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021.
