Former President Ashraf Ghani’s unusual apology to Afghans

More three weeks after fleeing Kabul by helicopter as the Taliban raged in the capital, the former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani posted a statement on his Twitter account apologizing to his compatriots, but only in English.

“I owe the Afghan people an explanation for leaving Kabul abruptly on August 15, after the Taliban unexpectedly entered the city,” Ghani said at the start of the statement.

Three days after his departure and amid scenes of panic at Kabul International Airport as desperate Afghans tried to flee the country, Ghani reappeared in the United Arab Emirates, where the government has confirmed receiving him and his family on humanitarian grounds..

“I left at the behest of palace security, who informed me that if I stayed I risked unleashing the same horrific street-to-street fighting the city suffered during the civil war of the 1990s. Leave Kabul was the most difficult decision of my life, but I thought it was the only way to silence the guns and save Kabul and its 6 million citizens. “writes the former president.

Ghani considered that “now now is not the time for a long evaluation of events“This led to his departure, and ensured that he will speak to them” in the near future. “

The former president was repeatedly accused of participating in acts of corruption. American and Afghan officials implicate him in corruption cases in your office and in your family. Independent investigations have concluded that offered lucrative contracts to immediate family members. Moreover, different analysts argue that took millions of dollars in cash when he left the country. However, Ghani denied all allegations in his letter.

“I must now respond to the unfounded allegations that in leaving Kabul I took away millions of dollars belonging to the Afghan people. These accusations are totally and categorically false. Corruption is a scourge that has crippled our country for decades and the fight against corruption has been at the center of my efforts as President.“, He explained.

“I am glad that an official audit or financial investigation is being conducted under the auspices of the UN or other appropriate independent body to prove the truth of my statements,” Ghani continued.

US veterans and analysts in Afghanistan claim that Corruption within the Afghan government and its military leadership meant that money intended for soldiers’ salaries had gone to line the pockets of senior officials.. In statements to the American channel CNBC, they assured that the swift surrender of the Afghan army to the Taliban was in part due to a complete lack of confidence that Ghani and the government in Kabul would back them.

“I offer my deep gratitude and respect for the sacrifice of all Afghans, especially our Afghan soldiers and their families, over the past 40 years. I deeply regret that my own chapter ended in a tragedy similar to that of my predecessors, without guaranteeing stability and prosperity. I apologize to the Afghan people for not being able to end it differently. My commitment to the Afghan people has never wavered and it will guide me for the rest of my life. “Ghani has finished.

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