London Meeting Concludes: Future Afghan System Must Be Based on Citizens’ Will

A number of politicians and representatives of opposition groups to the Taliban administration declared after a two-day meeting in London that Afghanistan’s future political system must be established based on the direct will and vote of its citizens within the framework of a modern constitution. In their final statement, they emphasized that broad citizen participation in the power structure is a fundamental principle of any legitimate and sustainable system in the country.

The statement identified safeguarding Afghanistan’s independence, national sovereignty, and territorial integrity as fundamental priorities. It also stressed the rule of law centered on the citizenry and democracy, the protection of citizens’ basic rights, respect for ethnic and social diversity, and strengthening the role of local residents in local governance. Religious moderation was also presented as one of the agreed-upon principles among the participants.

The attendees considered these points as the basis for their joint efforts to overcome the current crisis in Afghanistan and underscored the need to establish a national and inclusive framework. This position comes amid the Taliban administration’s failure so far to provide a basis for broad political participation and form an inclusive structure, facing extensive restrictions, especially against women and political opponents.

The meeting was initiated by the organization “Women for Afghanistan,” aiming to strengthen cohesion among opposition groups to the Taliban administration and seek practical solutions to the ongoing crisis. Participation of several British parliament officials, including the chairs of the defense and international development committees and the head of the UK-Afghanistan Parliamentary Friendship Group, was another aspect of the event.

The United Kingdom is among the countries that in recent years have urged the Taliban administration to move toward forming an inclusive structure and to respect women’s rights. The London meeting’s final statement also emphasized the continuation of such gatherings to achieve practical, sustainable solutions based on national consensus.