By M.K.George

Rome: Afghanistan is on everyone’s mind. A tormenting presence. Should we be crying or speaking up for her?

As the president of the country Ashraf Ghani fled and Taliban forces took over the city of Kabul, the despondence and extreme fear of the people of Afghanistan, except for a minority who supports the Talibanis, are palpably felt across the world. Just one image captures it all: The thousands who clambered on to the airport and the aeroplanes in the Kabul airport.

Some falling off from the wings of the aeroplane and dying. Heart rending scenes indeed. Human helplessness in its most vulnerable form. The worst of it, the Afghan security forces who should be protecting the country and its people are on the run and praying to be saved. The militants are reported to be threatening to arrest and punish their families, if they do not surrender.

Everyone caught by surprise

That the US military was leaving was already known. However, the speed with which the Afghan government failed is something unbelievable. As it was observed, “…the sudden atomization of the National Security Forces that the United States and its allies had spent tens of billions of dollars to arm, train and stand against the Taliban,… a two-decade effort at institution-building that was dismantled in just a few days” (Rogenberg, 21 Aug. 2021)

The aftereffects of the Taliban takeover is most feared. For instance, observers feel that with a haven for militants now re-created, they will reconstitute themselves and once again pose a serious threat to the world, especially the U S and its allies.

One of the worst affected are those who assisted the US and allies as translators, informers and collaborators over the last two decades. From available reports, in this short period of takeover, Taliban has started avenging them. Attacking and assassinating officials and even the humanitarian agencies have been reported. Their offices have been ransacked. Those affected are pleading the US and other western countries for help for rehabilitation.

Failure of Leadership

Capabilities to sustain the nation?

The leadership of the United States stands on trial. Critics have gone to the extent of saying, ‘ history will record the president (Mr. Biden) as having failed in this most critical assignment… a disastrous takeover of Afghanistan wasn’t inevitable..’ (Kagan 14 Aug 2021)

The guarded response of the world political leaders should not surprise us. Equally not surprising is that China and Russia are keeping their embassies open. The fact that some of the western countries have welcomed Afghan citizens who want to move out of the country is a welcome gesture. But doubts remain. Are they just sympathetic offers that are likely to be minimal, slow and ultimately ineffective to counter the tragedy that has occurred?

Questions unanswered

Some simple questions should bother us.

Who is selling arms to the Talibanis? They seem to possess the latest armaments. Where are they getting their money? Granting that the Taliban made their money out of extortion and from drug business, it is no wonder they are confident. Many also believe and have proofs that Pakistan, Iran and even Russia may be clandestinely helping the Taliban. Now with the Americans having left the country, many of the warfare used by them will now fall into the hands of Taliban and it is unlikely to be used for peace.

What is the attitude of Islamic nations to Taliban takeover of Afghanistan? While the extremists and fundamentalists across the world have celebrated the victory, there have not been sufficient voices addressing the issues. Are they just watching? Alternatively, are they colluding?

The need to speak up for Afghanistan

Every sensible human person should now speak up for the ordinary Afghan, who wants to live, work, learn and love. Especially so for the Afghan women and girl children. If the past is any clue, it is horrifying. It is reported that under their earlier rule, “women had to cover themselves and only leave the house in the company of a male relative.

The Taliban also banned girls from attending school, and women from working outside the home. They were also banned from voting Women were subject to cruel punishments for disobeying these rules, including being beaten and flogged, and stoned to death if found guilty of adultery. Afghanistan had the highest maternal mortality rate in the world.”(https://theconversation.com/as-the-taliban-returns-20-years-of-progress-for-women-looks-set-to-disappear-overnight-165012)

Women and girls are pleading for help. So are the former collaborators of the US and Allies. Will the world listen? Will we listen?

The least we could do is to share the sentiments of Pope Francis who said, “I join in the unanimous concern for the situation in Afghanistan. I ask all of you to pray with me to the God of peace, so that the clamor of weapons might cease and solutions can be found at the table of dialogue.”

(Jesuit Father M K George is based in Rome.)