I lived in Kabul, Afghanistan for one year. During that time, I was privileged to drive Kabul’s streets, to see Afghan people driving, walking, waiting for taxis. All enjoying the privilege of living their lives in peace. Normal people wanting only to live within the security of rule of law. Between 2002-2021 that rule was protected and provided by the strength of a combined alliance of western and Afghan forces, which held terror groups like the Taliban and the Haqqani Network at bay.
One morning, I went for a walk. I enjoyed the fresh cool air of an autumn morning and the chance to be alone before a busy day of work. I was guarded by cement T walls topped with rolls of barbed wire and other security so what happened that morning startled me and awakened me to a reality I had never considered—the reality of a peaceful and free Afghanistan.
As I walked, I thought I heard the sounds of screaming. At first, I was alarmed, but concern soon left me as I also heard the sounds of laughter amidst the screams. As I attuned my ears to these sounds, I realized the screams and laughs were coming from children at play. Right across the street from my compound was a school-an Afghan school filled with children of all ages laughing, playing, enjoying the same fresh air I did that morning. It was the sound of freedom. It was the sound of peace and joy.
I continued my walk. My mind meshed this experience with others and I soon found myself painting a mosaic of an Afghanistan that was free from tyranny. Free from oppression under the guise of religious fanaticism. An Afghanistan that allowed families to realize their dreams. An Afghanistan where wives and husbands could create families in an environment of liberty and freedom. An Afghanistan where fathers and husbands could pursue their dreams of working unmolested and providing for their families. Where wives and mothers could pursue their dreams of education and self-fulfillment and watch their children grow up able to pursue their dreams and ambitions without fear. An Afghanistan where children could scream and laugh and play. In the early 2000s this was not a dream. It had become a reality for so many. But that dream and reality vanished.
How?
Between 2020-2021, the alliance that had protected Afghan families, women and children left. They left Afghans without protection. They left them defenseless. The resurgence of Taliban forces grew and as they grew, the fear of darkness and oppression enveloped the country once more. Dreams were shattered, fear replaced hope and ambition and the terror of a radical religious menace soon regained control over the government, the economy and the very lives of good Afghan people. The allies’ departure emboldened these merciless thugs, misogynist and barbaric monsters to run rampant.
Sure the allies justified their departure as a timely exit after nearly two decades of pouring military, economic and other resources into Afghanistan. Couldn’t the Afghan Defense Forces trained by the allies take over and assume stewardship over their own people? Couldn’t the government that was trained and provided the optimal environment to foster civil liberties, rights for all and freedom, maintain control and continue to provide for its people—the Afghan family? No. Their military leaders either escaped or defected to the ranks of the Taliban. Their political “leaders” fled with their millions of US dollars to resurface in Europe and the near east living lives of luxury while their own people were returned to the physical, mental and emotional slavery of tyranny.
It has been 5 years since the Afghan allies departed. Afghanistan has not been allowed to build on the liberties and freedoms given. Afghans live in constant fear under the hateful rule of the Taliban—morally corrupt monsters who oppress and torture women and rob them of their rights to self-actualization. They rob children of their right to see their parents live with dignity. They have robbed the children of their right to live in a society where they can grow up free. They have robbed them of their laughter.
What must be done? Afghans are good hearted people who want the rights to realize their dreams. They want the right to go to work, school, play and do so without fear of being molested by tyrants who destroy. We helped that happen. We can also help restore what they have lost. True, it is not the West’s place to ensure Afghan liberty. They must fight for that and win that. But we can build their confidence so they feel empowered against tyranny. To help Afghans strengthen their national identity that is inclusive of and protective of all Afghans who desire true freedom and peace to live their lives as they so choose. Not by compulsion and fear.
We seek those who are likeminded to come forward and share this vision with us of building Afghan unity—to commit to building this through a Covenant of peace among Afghans. Afghans need your time, talents and efforts to build a cohesive identity and win back Afghanistan and free it from the chains of tyranny. We invite you to contact us through our website https://afghan-covenant.org or contact us directly at contact@afghan-covenant.org