RASC News Agency: Rangin Dadfar Spanta, former National Security Advisor of Afghanistan and a leading intellectual, has called for the creation of a “National People’s Assembly of Afghanistan” to unify democratic and justice-oriented forces in the country. Speaking at the 12th Herat Security Dialogue in Madrid, Spain, on Monday, February 24, Spanta emphasized the urgency of establishing a broad-based coalition encompassing men, women, and all political and social groups committed to Afghanistan’s independence, freedom, and territorial integrity. He asserted, “The historical trajectory of Afghanistan particularly following the Soviet withdrawal and the Taliban’s takeover on August 15, 2021 demonstrates that the pursuit of liberation necessitates a unified and well-organized democratic movement.” While advocating for a dual approach of peace and resistance, Spanta acknowledged that “in certain circumstances, armed struggle becomes an inevitability for populations left with no viable alternatives against oppressive regimes.”
Analyzing the Taliban’s authoritarian governance and its implications for Afghanistan’s political and cultural future, Spanta argued that armed resistance is no longer a matter of choice but an undeniable imperative. He elaborated, “A cohesive national front can lay the groundwork for an Afghanistan liberated from terrorism, extremism, discrimination, illiteracy, and hostility toward progress transforming these ideals into practical realities.” He further stressed that forming a robust and inclusive political alliance across Afghanistan is critical to navigating the country’s path forward. According to Spanta, such a coalition could facilitate the establishment of a transitional government that enjoys both domestic legitimacy and international recognition.
On the geopolitical front, Spanta criticized the lack of a unified international and regional strategy toward Afghanistan, noting that geopolitical rivalries and ideological divides have given rise to conflicting agendas, further complicating the prospects for a sustainable peace. The 12th Herat Security Dialogue commenced yesterday in Madrid, Spain, and continues today. Previously held in Herat, western Afghanistan, the conference has been relocated abroad following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
