RASC News Agency: A growing number of political activists and former government officials argue that the former leaders of Afghanistan have lost the trust of the public, with many viewing them as “irrelevant figures” in the country’s political landscape. Wais Barmak, the former Minister of the Interior, stated that the Afghanistani people no longer trust the leaders from the previous government and have lost faith in their promises and leadership. Speaking at a virtual meeting commemorating the anniversary of Marshal Fahim’s passing, Barmak remarked:
“One of the core issues with our former leaders is that the trust the public placed in their words, actions, and commitments over the past two decades has now vanished. This has led us into a dangerous leadership void, where we are unable to form a strong and unified leadership capable of rallying people behind it.”
Barmak also emphasized that the loss of trust has hindered opposition factions from coming together under a single, cohesive banner, impeding their ability to present a united front against the Taliban. Fawzia Koofi, a former member of the Afghanistani Parliament, expressed her disillusionment upon realizing that even senior political leaders are waiting for international intervention to bring about change in Afghanistan. She stressed that Afghanistanis should not wait passively for the world to bring about transformation.
Koofi pointed out that the public’s disillusionment with the old political leaders is widespread, saying:
“If we genuinely care about the Afghanistani people, we must set aside our differences. Opposition to the Taliban should not be the sole factor uniting us. We must come together with honesty and sincerity. When I speak to our senior leaders, it is disheartening to see that they still expect the international community to decide Afghanistan’s future.”
Simultaneously, internal rifts within the Taliban have deepened, with Mullah Hibatullah sidelining certain factions of the group. Some observers argue that the lack of a unified opposition voice has allowed the Taliban regime to remain in power. Nonetheless, the Resistance Front and the Freedom Front continue their joint efforts to challenge the Taliban, although the lack of coordination and unity among the opposition groups and leaders is seen as a major reason for the Taliban’s continued rule.
