The word “independence” has been degraded in Afghanistan and has become meaningless due to the current situation. While independence is a noble and admirable concept, it is absurd for individuals who are deeply entrenched in poverty, particularly a group that has been historically mercenary, to speak of it. The erosion of the meaning of independence in the political context of this country should prompt us to contemplate the conceptual aspects of this word and assess the validity and appropriateness of such a claim in Afghanistan.
The journey towards independence commences with the development of individual thought, leading to independent thinking and the discovery of one’s unique identity. Individuals possessing these qualities contribute to the establishment of an independent society, which in turn gives rise to an autonomous government and political system. Such a society, supported by this system, can attain economic independence by enhancing the skills of its citizens and effectively utilizing its natural resources, thereby eliminating reliance on foreign entities. It is not feasible for a nation to claim independence and proudly proclaim its freedom while relying on the assistance of others. A self-sustaining economy serves as the foundation of true independence and should be emphasized as the most crucial aspect in this regard. In the contemporary world, there exist numerous countries with significantly smaller populations and geographical areas than Afghanistan. However, through the presence of literate and educated citizens and the prudent utilization of natural resources, these countries have achieved wealth and self-sufficiency. They do not rely on assistance from other nations and instead extend humanitarian aid to numerous impoverished countries in Africa and Asia, which possess larger populations and territories. This exemplifies the essence of independence.
In Afghanistan, there has been a longstanding cultural reliance on foreign financial support among political leaders for over a century. This trend dates back to the time of Shah Shuja and Dost Muhammad Khan, where rulers from various nations and factions received pensions from foreign powers such as the Shah of Iran and the King of England. This historical pattern may be a contributing factor to the current predicament we find ourselves in. Over the past fifty years, during the Cold War era, both factions of the Communist Party relied on financial assistance from the Soviet Union, while the Mujahideen depended on support from the West, as well as Arab and non-Arab allies. The financial dependence on international aid was a significant weakness of the Republic government during the past two decades, ultimately leading to its downfall. It is worth noting that all fundamentalist groups in the country also receive external assistance, further fueling their advancement.
The Taliban initially began their operations as mercenaries for Pakistan, receiving various forms of support from the country such as food and shelter for women and children. Many of the leaders’ wives and children continue to reside in Pakistan and Qatar. Since 2010, the group has resorted to coercing its soldiers into committing suicide as a means to gain attention from the United States and assert its readiness for mercenary work, arguing that it is more deserving of support than the Republic government. Presently, the Taliban’s rule is sustained by substantial financial aid, amounting to millions of dollars per week, flowing from the United States and other countries. The details surrounding Faiz Hamid’s involvement and the formation of the group’s cabinet will be discussed at another time. This situation represents a delicate balance between freedom and independence.
Read this article in Farsi here.
