Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the last president of Afghanistan’s republic, indirectly took aim at the Taliban in his Eid message, stating that legitimacy remains Afghanistan’s central problem and that the Taliban must brace for difficult decisions.
Ghani, who fled Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, hours before the Taliban entered Kabul, avoided naming them directly. Yet he alluded to their rule, saying Afghanistan is a shared home for all Afghans and that its future demands collective choices.
Ghani: The Next Decade Will Be Rough
Ghani warned of tough times ahead globally over the next five to ten years, urging reliance on Afghanistan’s own human and economic resources rather than foreign aid. “Anyone claiming leadership must answer to the people,” he said. “Public funds need transparency, and war and global politics are shifting fast.”
Concern for Afghan Refugees
The former president voiced alarm over the plight of Afghan refugees, noting that neighboring countries, the U.S., and Europe are running out of room. “Neighbors who once profited from Afghan refugees now openly say they’re pushing them out,” he said. “Europe and the U.S. have no space either—so where will they go? How will their lives be safe?”
Afghanistan Must Reclaim Its Global Standing
Ghani closed by stressing that Afghanistan must restore its national identity, passport, and international credibility in the 21st century. He called the country’s future a shared duty for all Afghans, warning that without a comprehensive, inclusive political plan, Afghanistan won’t escape global isolation.
