Shadi Khan Saif
18 August 2021•Update: 18 August 2021
KABUL, Afghanistan
Afghanistan's former President Ashraf Ghani has vowed to return to his country to “continue his struggle for people's rights and values.”
In a maiden video statement after showing up in the UAE, Ghani lent support for ongoing talks by former President Hamid Karzai and top peace negotiator Abdullah Abdullah with the Taliban.
On Sunday, Ghani left the country as the Taliban seized control of the capital Kabul after Afghan government forces fled or surrendered.
“I am proud of our security forces, they have not been defeated, we were defeat on the political front. It was the failure of the government's leadership, the Taliban leadership and the international community. It was the failure of the peace process," he said.
"I wanted to transfer the power to the Taliban peacefully. But I was evicted from Afghanistan against my will.
“I was told the Taliban are in Kabul … There was an agreement that the Taliban would not enter Kabul. But they did. I didn't want to be hanged because, as a president, I am the honor of Afghanistan. I am not scared of death,” he said.
He said that he does not intend to escape from the country or live in exile.
Ghani stated that he left the country to avoid bloodshed in Kabul amid the Taliban advances. "I am in consultation for my return to Afghanistan so that I can continue efforts for justice, true Islamic and national values.”
He also discarded allegations of escaping with huge sums of cash as a “character assassination” attempt.
“You can verify this with UAE Customs. I did not have time to change my shoes. My security ask me to leave as there is an imminent threat to me as head of state,” Ghani said.
