April 24, 2023 - Vienna, the host city of a historic conference on Afghanistan in 2022, is once again in the spotlight as it gears up to host another significant conference on the country. Among the distinguished attendees, one name that is expected to draw significant attention is Ahmad Massoud, the leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF) that leads the armed resistance against the Taliban.

Unlike the private Doha meeting, which was largely attended by Taliban sympathizers, the Vienna conference is public, inviting a broader range of participants to share their ideas and perspectives. With the future of Afghanistan still uncertain following the Taliban's takeover, the conference provides a crucial opportunity for anti-Taliban politicians and stakeholders to come together to discuss and develop a path forward.

On the first day of the conference, Commander Massoud highlighted the need for a large coalition of groups that can unite against the Taliban. He emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration among the Taliban's opponents, encouraging all interested parties to participate in the formation of an alliance. In his words, "East and West have intervened for their own interests, so we must work for ourselves."

This statement resonates deeply with the current state of Afghanistan, which has faced decades of conflict and instability driven by the competing interests of powerful external forces. As such, it has become increasingly clear that relying on external powers to address Afghanistan's problems is not a sustainable solution. Instead, the country must take ownership of its own future and work towards solutions that serve its own interests, rather than those of outside actors.

By doing so, Afghanistan can begin to build a more stable, just, and equitable society where all people have a say in their own destiny. The Vienna conference provides a crucial opportunity to discuss and develop such a roadmap, and we can only hope that it will lead to a more peaceful and prosperous future for Afghanistan and its people.