On 19th August, Afghanistan celebrates its Independence Day from British rule. The conundrum here is that the shackles of injustice and slavery have been enforced on Afghans by the Taliban. Now then ever, they are feeling like a prisoner on their Independence Day.
The Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919, which ended British authority in Afghanistan, is commemorated on Afghan Independence Day. The Taliban, on the other hand, celebrated their independence from US power yesterday.
A humanitarian crisis of monumental proportions is occurring right in front of our eyes. So, here are the Challenges faced by Afghans:
- With ATMs running out of cash and a serious food crisis affecting 38 million people across the country, the Taliban is likely to confront the same issues as the dethroned government, albeit without the international support that the former had.
- Drought has harmed more than 40% of the country’s crops.
- Hundreds of people have left Taliban rule in Kabul, seeking refuge in parks and open places.
- So far, the Taliban have not devised any plans for their government. They have remained true to their earlier statements that the administration will follow Shariah or Islamic laws. However, they are currently under increasing strain.
- While pushing citizens to return to work, the majority of government employees remain in hiding or are seeking to leave the Taliban.
- Inflation will drive up the cost of essential foods while the country’s currency depreciates.
- They’re going after the relatives of individuals who refuse to surrender, prosecuting and punishing them “according to Sharia law.”
- As of now, the Taliban have been conducting door-to-door searches to find their opponents, particularly those who have previously assisted US and NATO soldiers. On the route to Kabul airport, insurgents were also checking passengers.
- Meanwhile, 12 people have been slain in and near the airport since the Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15th. Since then, more than 18,000 people have been evacuated from Kabul airport, according to a NATO officer.
- Suhail Shaheen, a Taliban spokesman, said to Chinese official media that China has played a positive role in promoting peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan and that it is welcome to help the country’s reconstruction.
Panjshir Valley free from Taliban’s Hold:
The Taliban have faced no armed resistance. However, videos from the Panjshir Valley, north of Kabul, appear to show prospective opposition figures assembling there. The Panjshir Valley under the leadership of Amrullah Saleh has a stronghold of the Northern Alliance forces, which collaborated with the United States during the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan. That part of the province is the only one that hasn’t been conquered by the Taliban.
Meanwhile, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani justified his choice to evacuate Kabul in the face of Taliban advances in a video released on Facebook on August 18th, describing it as the only way to avoid the carnage. He also refuted charges made by his country’s envoy in Tajikistan that he had stolen millions of dollars from the government.
In Bamiyan, the Taliban detonated a bomb near the statue of dead Hazara leader Abdul Ali Mazari. They blew destroyed the great Buddha statues and all historical and archaeological sites the last time they executed him. There is far too much ‘universal amnesty.’