Independence or Ghani’s unfinished slogans?
In his message on the 106th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence, former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani spoke of “national unity” and “continuing the path of Ghazi Amanullah Khan.” He called independence a reminder of the nation’s valor and a symbol of the commitment of future generations.
But these words are in stark contrast to his record. Ghani, who introduced himself as “a means for unity and prosperity,” left behind a fractured country and a collapsed military at the end of his rule. His promises to build a united and free Afghanistan turned into a failed slogan with the fall of the republic in 2021.
The reality is that what Ghani calls “Amanullah Khan’s unfinished chapter” is more like his own unfinished chapter in history; a period of corruption, instability, and war that undermined Afghanistan’s independence from within. Today, on Independence Day, instead of remembering his lofty ideals, many are remembering the deep gap between his slogan and his actions and his shameless defection.
