On September 28, 2021, former officials of the elected democratic government of Afghanistan, which was deposed by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (the Taliban organization) on August 15, 2021, announced the continuation of the Afghan government in exile. A statement issued by the former Afghan leaders was shared via the official Twitter account of the Afghan Embassy in Switzerland.[1]
Taliban fighters entered Kabul, forcing the Afghan President Ashraf Ghani to leave the country on August 15, 2021. Thereafter, an anti-Taliban National Resistance Front (NRF) formed in the Panjshir Valley under the leadership of Ahmad Massoud, the son of Afghanistan's national hero Ahmad Shah Massoud, who was assassinated a day before the 9/11 terror attacks on American cities in 2001.[2]
The most important person who moved to the Panjshir Valley to lead the anti-Taliban resistance was Amrullah Saleh, the first vice president of Afghanistan. Amrullah Saleh declared in a tweet that, after President Ashraf Ghani left the country, Saleh is the acting president: "Clarity: As per the constitution of Afg[hanistan], in absence, escape, resignation or death of the President the FVP becomes the caretaker President. I am currently inside my country & am the legitimate caretaker President. Am reaching out to all leaders to secure their support & consensus."[3]
Meanwhile, the Islamic Emirate (the Taliban organization) has formed an interim government, announcing a list of 32 acting ministers and the prime minister, followed by a second list of 16 acting ministers. The Taliban government is not yet recognized by the international community, nor have its ministers taken oaths. In the Taliban government, the acting interior minister Sirajuddin Haqqani is listed on the website of the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorists, while 14 ministers including the prime minister are on the United Nations Security Council's terrorism blacklist.[4]
The September 28 statement released by the former Afghan government leaders through the Afghan Embassy in Switzerland reads: "The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is the only legitimate administration of Afghanistan that was formed on the basis of elections and the vote of the people." It also makes it clear that First Vice President Amrullah Saleh, "shall, on the basis of the provisions of the Constitution, serve as the caretaker of the Government and lead the affairs of the country."
Amrullah Saleh, the de jure president of Afghanistan
Following is the text of the statement:
"In The Case That The Vice-President Is Not Ready To Assume The Duties Of The President, The Second Vice-President, The President Of The House Of Elders... Shall Succeed Respectively"
"In the name of Allah the Compassionate the Merciful
"Esteemed Compatriots, Partner Countries, and Supporters of Freedom and Liberation!
"Following the occupation of the country by foreign elements, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, based on its historic responsibility and upon consultation with elders, political leaders, and figures and various segments of society, including men and women, has taken the following decisions:
"1. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is the only legitimate administration of Afghanistan that was formed on the basis of elections and the vote of the people. No other so-called administration can replace the legitimate government of Afghanistan, in violation of the Constitution of the country.
"2. With the departure of the President from the country and his dissociation from politics and the administration of the country, the First Vice-President shall, on the basis of the provisions of the Constitution, serve as the caretaker of the Government and lead the affairs of the country.
"3. In the case that the Vice-President is not ready to assume the duties of the President, the Second Vice-President, the President of the House of Elders, the President of the House of Representatives, and the Foreign Minister shall succeed respectively and lead the affairs of the country.
"4. The three branches of State are becoming operational, convening meetings, and adopting decisions on relevant issues, and will prepare to resume its activities in Afghanistan.
Afghan embassy released the statement via its official Twitter account
"5. The High Council of State will expeditiously be established with the participation of the political leaders and figures of the country to direct the affairs of the country in coordination with members of the Government and Parliament.
"6. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the High Council of State, in adherence to the Constitution, agreements, treaties and relevant international conventions to which Afghanistan is party, will defend the national interests and unity of the country under the tri-colored national flag of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
"7. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan requests of all friendly and partner countries to maintain its relations and cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and avoid granting any degree of legitimacy to the Taliban, which have illegally and illegitimately occupied the country through violence, tyranny, and proxy means."
"The Islamic Republic Of Afghanistan Affirms Its Support For The Righteous National Resistance [Front] Of Afghanistan"
"8. We request the United Nations, including the Security Council, countries of the region and beyond to exert pressure on the supporters of the Taliban to end the group's illegal occupation and pave the way for peace and lasting stability in the country through sincere and result-oriented negotiations with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
"9. The Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will, as a matter of national priority, continue its efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement to end the several decades of conflict and achieve a lasting, just, and dignified peace. The peace process, which remains incomplete as a result of the Taliban's actions, should resume in order to reach the End-State of a lasting peace and an elected government based on the will of the people, and in which human rights, civil rights, and national participation are upheld and secured.
"In the event that the Taliban continue to remain uncommitted to the peace process, the international community should impose necessary pressure on the Taliban. This would be supported by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
"10. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan affirms its support for the righteous National Resistance of Afghanistan. In the event of an impasse in peace talks, we call on all the people of Afghanistan to join and continue the national resistance until the country is fully liberated.
"If the Taliban do not respond positively to the call of the people of Afghanistan and the international community for lasting peace, respect for human rights, upholding civic rights and combating terrorism, the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will continue its support for the National Resistance with full determination and in national unity.
"11. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan requests all senior members of the government and the National Assembly to come together and converge and resume their administrative and political duties. The location and venue for the Government's activities and that of the National Assembly will be announced by the High State Council and the central role of the National Resistance."
"The Islamic Republic Of Afghanistan... Calls For Additional Pressure On The Taliban And Their Regional Supporters To Bring About A Conducive Environment For Lasting Peace"
"12. The national security and defense forces, which at the moment are in a state of uncertainty, will be recalled to duty and the challenges that confront them will be addressed in the near future.
"13. All national and personal assets which have been plundered will be reviewed and assessed. In collaboration with the international community, necessary measures will be taken for their recovery and return to the country.
"14. All Embassies and Consulates of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will continue their normal duties for the advancement of the national interests of the country and further expansion and consolidation of Afghanistan's relations with the international community.
"15. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan will foster and preserve regional consensus on Afghanistan and transform the country into a platform for regional and international cooperation on the basis of mutual and multilateral interests. Furthermore, it will not permit the country to again become a ground for rivalries and proxy wars.
"16. While expressing appreciation for the clear position of the permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations, the European Union and regional countries against Afghanistan’s occupation by the proxy group, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, once again, calls for additional pressure on the Taliban and their regional supporters to bring about a conducive environment for lasting peace and stability in the country.
"17. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan reiterates its appreciation and gratitude to all countries that assisted with the evacuation of all vulnerable individuals and families from the country.
"18. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan underscores the need for international support and assistance for all Afghans who have been displaced internally and who have sought refuge abroad, as a result of the Taliban’s illegal occupation of the country.
"From the leaders of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Political Leaders, and Political Personalities."
[1] Twitter.com/AfghanistanInCH, September 28, 2021. The original English of the statement has been lightly edited for clarity and standardization.
[2] MEMRI Daily Brief No. 309, The Anti-Taliban Resistance Movement In Afghanistan, August 24, 2021.
[3] Twitter.com/AmrullahSaleh2, August 17, 2021.
[4] Special Dispatch No. 9566, Profiles Of Afghan Taliban Ministers – Interior Minister Is On FBI's Most Wanted List, 14 Ministers Including Prime Minister Are On UN Security Council's Terror Blacklist, September 28, 2021.
