KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – On the 105th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence, the National Resistance Council for the Salvation of Afghanistan has voiced concerns about the country’s freedom under the Taliban’s rule.
The Council, comprising former political leaders and politicians in exile, expressed in a Persian statement on Sunday that Afghanistan’s government is occupied by foreign elements.
Referring to the Taliban as an “extremist and foreign-backed group” the council said that under the regime’s rule, the country’s freedom is once again being questioned, and foreign entities are exerting considerable influence over internal affairs.
Observing August 18 with a public holiday, the Taliban declared that the country is “truly free and independent” since the group seized power three years ago as the Western-back republican government collapsed and foreign troops withdrew.
This comes days before the Taliban marked August 15 a “victory day” over two decades of “Western occupation.” The group celebrated this day with a military parade at Bagram Airfield, once the largest U.S. military base in the region, showcasing military equipment left by foreign troops.
No country has formally recognized the Taliban government, but over the past three years, the regime has appointed its ambassadors to several neighboring embassies, including those in China, Russia, Pakistan, and Iran.
The Council noted that Afghanistan gained independence after years of struggle for freedom. The country hoped to establish effective self-governance, but several factors hindered its independence and stability.
According to the statement, the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan has reversed people’s freedom and dignity and made the country a haven for terrorist groups.
The council urged for unity among Taliban opposition groups, saying the country needs a legitimate and inclusive government to restore the rights of its citizens and protect its sovereignty.
Amir Amanullah Khan, the former king of Afghanistan, declared the country’s independence from Britain on August 19, 1919.
