Afghan leaders failed their country

Afghanistan has been in a whirl of unending war and unfettered turmoil in the past four decades. There were always conflicts and bloody coups. Here are multiple interconnected and interactive wars in Afghanistan and they go back decades to the war against the Soviet Union in the 1980s. But after the Red Army’s withdrawal, Afghanistan plunged into civil war and the mujahedins, which the US had supported, split on largely ethnic grounds and fought for the presidency post.

Following the Red Army’s withdrawal, Afghanistan witnessed its new area of chaos and civil war, whereas peace – or at least a state of normalcy – is a distant dream. The war turned the country into a ruin and almost all the structures were destroyed.

Within the period, a new group emerged and that was the Taliban. Taliban entered Kabul in September 1996 and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Only three countries Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates recognized the Islamic Emirate in the 1990s.

However, the group was defeated after the US forces entered Afghanistan in late 2001, and militarily toppled their regime and instead formed a republic government. The new government, supported by the US, lasted for 20 years, but nothing changed substantially. Despite showering of billions of dollars, Afghanistan remained one of the poorest countries, and the US also wanted to eliminate terrorist groups, but right now there are reportedly some 20 small and big terrorist groups operating in the country. In the past two decades, the Taliban also didn’t stop fighting against the US forces and the Afghan security forces of the previous western-backed government. Eventually, the Taliban had once again seized power following US forces withdrawal on 15 August 2021.

Taliban has been ruling Afghanistan amid lack of legitimacy, economic fragility, and the threat of foreign terrorist groups that incontrovertible proofs of monolithic instability in Afghanistan, complicating the future of the country.

To explore these questions, we have interviewed Dr. Matin Royeen, an Afghan-American peace educator, who from 2009 to 2011 also served as a Senior Civilian Cultural Advisor with ISAF in Afghanistan, trying to promote cultural understanding and key leader engagement between the international community and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

During the interview, Mr. Royeen is fervent to see a peaceful and stable Afghanistan, believing that national unity is the ultimate way to restoring peace and economic stability.

• Afghanistan has been in war and political wrangling for almost four decades. What is the main reason?

I believe there are a number of reasons that Afghanistan has witnessed political unrest.

First:  Baba Zahir, the King of Afghanistan introduced some democratic reforms in introducing a new constitution in 1964. At this time, different political parties started their activities and sometimes engaged in the war of words and at times, I remember physical confrontations on the campus of Kabul University in late 1960s. This was the beginning of a democratic movement which went out of control because democracy requires civility, positive participation and responsibility to work towards building a nation. This has not been the case in Afghanistan during the past four decades.

Second:  Educating the public about democratic values is important. Even the educated did not truly understand the meaning of democracy and responsible participation in society. The common practice was to insult and humiliate the leaders of the government and as well as other political parties in conflict with each other.

Three:  Politics were centered around personalities, ethnicities and some political ideology.  Political leaders enhanced their own interests by eliminating rivals, sometimes by bloodshed.

Four:  There was a lack of understanding regarding qualities of effective leadership and how to build consensus among each other in order to enhance the cause of the mother nation.  Unfortunately, most of those in leadership positions not only failed as leaders, but also failed the Afghan public who have become very frustrated with corrupt leaders.  There has been a crisis of confidence in Afghan leaders by Afghans since the late 1970s.

Afghanistan’s last king Mohammad Zahir Shah (R) and former President Hamid Karzai (L) at the Kabul airport April 18, 2002.

• Why the Afghan political leadership is failing time and again to work for unity, peace and prosperity

Failure to unify people: They have advanced their own political and personal interests without paying attention to the national interests of all people of Afghanistan. In some instances, some leaders have used/abused their supporters in support of personal gains. Ethnicity abuse has been a good example of exploitation of these leaders.

• Why did the previous government backed by the intentional community, particularly the USA in the past 20 years, collapse?

My country, the United States, did not have a long term sustainable strategy to help the Afghans. Different American agencies involved in Afghanistan competed for more money and non-sustainable projects. Misappropriation of billions of dollars in Afghanistan also promoted corruption and fraud among all parties involved. In the meantime, the Afghan leaders failed to unify and develop a national strategy for rebuilding Afghanistan. The United States spent 147 billion for nation building and governance in Afghanistan. The Doha agreement between the Trump administration and the Taliban without the involvement of Afghan leadership was a big political nail in the coffin of the Afghan Government on whom the US had spent those billions of dollars mentioned earlier. Basically, there is a collective blame directed at the United States and the Afghan leadership.

• The Taliban are now ruling the country, will they last?

The Taliban came to power as a result of an agreement with the United States. At this stage, security and the national interests of the United States and allies are very important. As long as the goals and objectives of the United States in the region and in Afghanistan are protected, the United States will work with the Taliban.

• What are the main challenges ahead of the Taliban

The Taliban leadership have a few challenges; first, there is division among their leadership and how they deal with their differences and conflicts, remain to be seen. Second, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan will haunt the noble people for a few years. The US and international community will continue to provide financial aid. Third, human rights, women participation and secondary education for girls will continue to be a source of conflict between the Taliban and the international community.  Fourth, gaining the confidence and trust of all Afghans would be another challenge for the Taliban.

• Numerous Afghan elites fled Afghanistan after Taliban sized power last year; do you see any chance for reconciliation?

The return of the Afghan leaders (especially those who are rich and corrupt) will not result in reconciliation. Reconciliation is the product of peace making, peace-keeping and peace- building in any society. Achieving reconciliation is a very important topic which requires a separate discussion.

• Dose Islamic State (IS) posing threat to Afghanistan

Threat from other terrorists in the country is imminent. ISIS and other groups seem to pose a security threat not only inside Afghanistan, but also on a global level. This has been the claim of the Afghan neighbors and the West. The US will not tolerate the presence of any security threat to the west in Afghanistan. It is important for the Taliban leadership to be honest about the presence of any terrorist groups in Afghanistan.

• What is the main need to deal with the economic and humanitarian crisis?

The economic needs and the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan require two steps by the Taliban leadership. First, working with the international community for financial help for the next 5 years, second, the Taliban leadership design/develop an economic plan that can result in self sufficiency within 5 years. In order to do this, the Taliban must invite/recruit the assistance of Afghan specialists and professionals in different fields.

• Thank you!

The pleasure is mine.

Dr. Matin Royeen Ph.D. is an Afghan American educator and expert who have lived in the United States during the past fifty years. From 2009 to 2011, Dr. Royeen served as a Senior Civilian Cultural Advisor with ISAF in Afghanistan, trying to promote cultural understanding and key leader engagement between the international community and the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Additionally, Dr. Royeen is a regular television political analyst in Afghanistan. He has written a number of articles about leadership, effective governance and peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan. He has also co-edited a book on culture and rehabilitation in 2006. He can be reached at amroyeen@gmail.com.