1) The days following the fall were incredibly heavy and long for the people of Afghanistan worldwide. Virtual spaces made it possible for every Afghan citizen, no matter where they were in the world, to feel as if they were in Kabul, imagining themselves clinging to the thick walls of the airport or hanging from a U.S. military aircraft. This experience etched bitter memories in the minds of our people. Soon after, during an informal tea-time meeting between a few Afghans[1] and Austrians, the idea of creating a process called the “Vienna Process” and holding a conference by the same name was discussed. By the end of this friendly conversation, each person had taken on specific responsibilities. Among these relatively unknown figures was Dr. Wolfgang Petritsch, a former Austrian ambassador and experienced diplomat who had also been involved in international mediation efforts. Dr. Christian Rieder, who had spent half his life in Afghan affairs and had been in charge of Austria’s aid office for Afghanistan in Peshawar since the Soviet invasion, agreed to use his financial resources to support the establishment of this process. The previous four conferences were funded by him and a few Afghan philanthropists. Other than political support from some European institutions, countries, and a few members of the European Parliament, no foreign entity or government has financially supported the Vienna Process thus far.
2) Ahmad Massoud was the first prominent political figure from Afghanistan to accept the invitation and participate in this process. Until Mr. Mohaqiq attended the fourth conference, none of Afghanistan’s political party leaders had physically attended any of these conferences. Given the public’s sensitivity towards consumerist and ineffective leaders, Ahmad Massoud’s presence, someone without a negative reputation among our people, was naturally beneficial both to himself and the Vienna Process. On the other hand, for those claiming leadership or succession, such presence in this process and conference was unbearable as it diminished their roles. This absence of many leaders at Vienna’s conferences practically created a situation where Ahmad Massoud was presented as a “prominent figure,” as if the Vienna Process belonged to him. However, the invited figures had been invited based on their personal or group affiliations, and future invitations will follow the same approach. While the founders of the Vienna Process had reservations about inviting certain individuals, some invitees also showed reluctance to attend.
3) The goals and principles of the Vienna Process are clearly defined. From the beginning, it was stated that this process works towards uniting the anti-Taliban forces, aiming to present a united front to the world and find a reasonable and appropriate solution to Afghanistan’s issues. The Vienna Process roadmap states: “Cooperation and coordination among all political, civil, and social forces, as well as benevolent and significant figures opposing the Taliban, are essential.” So far, there has been no talk of forming a new party, government, or movement at the Vienna conferences. All members unanimously agree that this umbrella belongs to all influential individuals and groups, and everyone should see themselves under this roof while preserving their legal and real status. Without a doubt, women have played a significant role in the Vienna Process, and defending the rightful rights of the country’s women is one of its primary objectives.
4) The reality is that the international community has not yet taken the anti-Taliban movements seriously due to their inability to present a unified and coordinated political plan that aligns with Afghanistan’s and the world’s conditions, as well as their lack of consensus among themselves. Additionally, the inability of anti-Taliban movements to create an alternative political narrative capable of attracting the attention of internal, regional, and international actors has further exacerbated the situation. This issue does not end here. This weakness has allowed the Taliban to exploit the situation and present themselves as the sole player in the field. International support, particularly from the United States, is crucial in creating an alternative political narrative. In the U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee Resolution 1433, it is stated: “The Taliban, who seized control of Afghanistan in August 2021, have engaged in systematic violence, oppression, and terror, undermining the fundamental rights of the Afghan people and violating international norms. At the same time, they have harbored foreign terrorist organizations and provided them with a haven for their activities, destabilizing the region and posing a threat to global security.” This point is reiterated in the first article of the resolution, and the second article states: “This resolution emphasizes continued international engagement with the Vienna Process and its stakeholders, recognizing its potential to form a united front against the Taliban and create pathways for long-term peace and security in Afghanistan.” The third article acknowledges the Vienna Process’s potential and the fourth article calls on the U.S. government to actively participate in and support the process’s activities.
5) Now that the international community, particularly the U.S. House of Representatives, has realized that the Taliban’s dark actions are exposing their nullity to the world, and as a result of the continuous efforts of active politicians, women’s relentless struggles, and the regular meetings organized by the Vienna Process, the world—led by the United States—has come to believe in a broader umbrella, it is time for all prominent politicians to cast aside their egos, if only once, and attend the fifth Vienna conference, each in their capacity. This could transform the positive perception of the international community into a tangible reality and pave the way for a smart and political confrontation with the Taliban.
Reference:
[1] Mr. Noor Safa and his wife, Mrs. Fahima Zohma.
You can read the Persian version of this analysis here:
