By Maher Saadat | Monday, June 24, 2024 | maher@wearenrf.org

Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF), recently attended the fourth round of the Vienna Process in Vienna, Austria. This significant event, organised to discuss Afghanistan's future amidst occupation and disinformation aimed at dividing opposition groups, saw Massoud emphasise the critical need for unity among all factions.

Ahmad Massoud began by highlighting the upcoming Doha conference, criticising its lack of representation for women and civil society. He likened this to the first round of Doha talks, which ultimately led to the fall of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, suggesting a similar conspiracy. He stressed the importance of the Vienna Process for the people of Afghanistan, urging everyone to set aside differences and work towards a united future. "I hope that with all the differences we have and have had, we will be able to form a common, united future," he stated, emphasising that the Vienna Process should chart the course for Afghanistan without letting internal differences hinder progress.

Reiterating points made by other speakers, Ahmad Massoud pointed out that Afghanistan is no longer a priority for the world. However, it remains a crucial concern for its people. He called for a plan in which everyone, regardless of any distinction, can see themselves, aiming to rescue Afghanistan from its current crisis. He stated, "We should lay out a plan where everyone can see themselves and save Afghanistan from the current crisis."

He strongly condemned the Taliban’s illegitimate rule, asserting that "legitimacy does not come from the barrel of a gun, but from the will of the people." He advocated for democratic elections, proposing that if the Taliban accepted elections and won, the NRF would respect the people's decision. However, he clarified that the people's decision is clear—they do not favour the Taliban. Massoud urged that the Vienna Process should help reach a broad consensus, strengthen unity among the opposition, and move towards a mechanism where the people can decide their future.

He shared a story about the fall of Kabul and the fleeing of former President Ashraf Ghani, describing it as the worst day of his life. "The worst day of my life wasn’t the day my dad was martyred; it was the day when I was leaving the military airport and seeing once again our people’s capital, army, and what kept its sovereignty, freedom, and honour fading away," Massoud recounted.

Further explaining the formation of the resistance in Panjshir, the NRF leader detailed efforts to avoid military confrontation, including sending religious scholars, elders, and political representatives to negotiate peace, all of which failed due to the Taliban's lack of interest in peace. "We sacrificed our people, Panjshir, our family, and ourselves for one thing: Afghanistan," he declared.

He concluded with a call for unity under a grand umbrella named Afghanistan, urging that, with God's help, this unity would change global and regional perspectives and restore hope to the nation and its people. He symbolically referred to the snowy tiger, lacking genuine connection and depth, suggesting that the Taliban must either accept the will of the people or face continued resistance.

The National Resistance Front of Afghanistan (NRF) has been actively fighting for the country's freedom on both political and military fronts. Since the beginning of spring, the NRF's guerrilla units have conducted over 160 operations across eight provinces, inflicting hundreds of casualties on the Taliban. On June 29, 2024, while the NRF leader engaged in political efforts in the Vienna process, guerrilla units continued their military operations within the country.