Ahmad Massoud's Views - Part 1 - his Interview with BBC
Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front (NRF), gave an interview to Devina Gupta of BBC World Service Newsday Program on November 28, 2023. In this interview Massoud gives deeper insight about the anti-Taliban resistance in Afghanistan.
Contents
1) Full transcript of the interview
2) Analysis of the interview
3) Conclusion
1) Full transcript of the interview
Devina Gupta: Let's take a look at the other news, where it's been 2 years since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan. But Ahmed Massoud who is the founder and leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan is challenging it, as he runs a low-level insurgency against the Taliban in the Panjshir Valley. He's the eldest son of military leader Ahmed Shah Massoud, the late tiger of Panjshir, who fought against Russian occupation in the 1980s and who was assassinated 48 hours before the 9/11 attacks in the US. Now, we have (Ahmed Shah who) Ahmed Massoud, who's joining us right now from Tajikistan. Thanks for being with us, Ahmad. First, could you tell us that it seems that from the outside the Taliban is firmly in control of Afghanistan for over 2 years now. Are there parts that you believe that are not under their full control and where you are challenging them?
Ahmad Massoud: Hello and thank you so much for having me. Well, the term firmly controlling, it is up to a debate and question, especially nowadays that I'm sure you know, although the world is busy with Ukraine and Gaza, but recently there has been a lot of attacks on the Taliban across the country, especially in the big cities in a span of just two years. Let's not forget that this rise and the resistance against the Taliban happened by the resistant fighters of Afghanistan all alone with no support from outside. It is based on the people's complete unhappiness from the Taliban rule and the Taliban's behavior. And it is just expanding and it is spreading.
Devina Gupta: But who's helping you in these efforts? Because, as I understand that you have been to Moscow at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin recently, where you also took part in a diplomatic forum. So, has there been any financial or any other help, extended by Russia to your group?
Ahmad Massoud: No, I've been traveling to a lot of countries I've been to Europe and I've been to regional countries for the past two years. And the purpose of the trip was to bring awareness, because I strongly believe that the problems of Afghanistan from the creation of the Taliban to the past 20 years of the Taliban's clash with the people of Afghanistan and even before that, in the fighting against the Soviets to now, the problems of Afghanistan have always had roots in much bigger conflicts. It was the conflict between the superpowers, it was the regional conflict. So it was always because of others that unfortunately we are now facing such situations. So therefore, I have been traveling across Europe and I've been traveling to the regional countries to bring awareness that Afghanistan peace lies in their cooperation. So, we are looking for the regional and international cooperation for solving the issues of Afghanistan. And because right now this individual or these sort of engagement with the Taliban by countries, it is not doing any good for my people and the people ...
Devina Gupta: Yes, but what's the response being of these countries? What are they promising to you?
Ahmad Massoud: Well, the promising, the promises that they are giving is that they're going to look into it, that they're going to have more cooperation between each other and also with International Community, because Afghanistan, we do not want Afghanistan to be the source of a rivalry, not between America and Russia, not between America and China, not between Europe and regional countries, but it should be the source of cooperation.
Devina Gupta: But that seems to be your hope. I just want to understand this and just in the interest of time, as well, that you (are) living in exile right now, outside your country. You have said in your previous interviews that you yourself are a targeted Person of Interest right now from the Taliban. So, and you are traveling to all these countries, including Russia, which seems to be having their own sets of conversation with the Taliban to explore trade routes. And that's something their administration has admitted, as well. So, what's the hope here that you have for getting support from those kinds of countries?
Ahmad Massoud: Once again, it is not in here, it is not about (you know) receiving support. It is about bringing awareness and also spreading this message, that these engagement with the Taliban, it is for whatever reason, if it's economic or if even it's a security, it is not going to solve anything, even the interest of those countries in the absence of a legitimate government in Afghanistan, which was being voted and supported by the people of Afghanistan.
Devina Gupta: Is that enough for your outfit, which is fighting insurgency, as you claim, on the ground in several provinces?
Ahmad Massoud: Well, the thing is, the fighting that we are doing, it is the last resort. We always, can you hear me? Yes, go ahead. The fighting that we do, it is solely defensive purposes and it is as the last resort that the Taliban left us with no choice. My father believed in it and I strongly believe in it, that Afghanistan possesses a political solution. And the political solution cannot be achieved without the support of International Community and so far International Community are very much busy with their own sort of problem from Ukraine to Gaza and so on. And they're forgetting Afghanistan, so our effort is to bring that awareness that Afghanistan issue, it is not our issue only. It is the issue that affects everyone and we need the help of regional countries and the world to help us to reach to that political solution, because so far these engagement policies, it is going nowhere.
Devina Gupta: (Ahmad Shah) thank you for joining us, Ahmad Massoud, who is the founder and leader of the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan, challenging as he runs a low-level of insurgency against the Taliban in the Panjshir Valley. You're listening to Newsday with Rob Young and Devina Gupta. Stay with us.
2) Analysis of the interview
The interview between Ahmad Massoud and Devina Gupta highlights several key themes related to the ongoing situation in Afghanistan following the Taliban's takeover. Here’s an analysis of the main points discussed:
1. Taliban Control and Resistance
Massoud challenges the notion that the Taliban have complete control over Afghanistan. He emphasizes that while they have been in power for over two years, there is significant resistance amongst the Afghan people. He credits the resistance fighters for their efforts against the Taliban, calling their actions as a response to the Taliban regime's oppressive policies, suggesting a widespread discontent. This context situates the National Resistance Front (NRF) not merely as an insurgent group but as a manifestation of broader societal grievances.
2. External Influence and Support
Gupta probes into the nature of external support for Massoud and the NRF, particularly questioning any potential backing from Russia following his visit there. Massoud denies receiving any financial or military support, instead focusing on his efforts to raise awareness about the situation in Afghanistan. He articulates a view that Afghanistan's issues are deeply intertwined with global and regional power dynamics, insinuating that external nations must cooperate rather than engage in rivalries that exacerbate the country’s problems.
3. Political Solutions vs. Military Engagement
A critical theme throughout the interview is Massoud’s insistence on finding a political solution to Afghanistan's crises rather than focusing solely on military options. He positions the NRF’s actions as defensive and a last resort, evoking the legacy of his father, Ahmed Shah Massoud, who advocated for political resolution. This stance underscores a complex view of conflict: that military resistance stems not from a thirst for violence, but from an inability to secure peace through dialogue.
4. International Attention or Neglect
Massoud criticizes the international community for being preoccupied with various global conflicts, while neglecting Afghanistan. He expresses a desire for Afghanistan to not be a battleground for geopolitical rivalries, advocating for it to be a space for cooperation. This statement reflects a call for nations globally to recognize the interconnectedness of their interests with turbulent regions like Afghanistan, suggesting that the sovereignty and future of Afghanistan should be prioritized in international discussions.
5. Perception of Engagement with the Taliban
Throughout the conversation, Massoud appears skeptical of current international engagement with the Taliban, arguing that such interactions do not lead to meaningful improvements for the Afghan populace. His assertion raises questions about the efficacy of negotiating with a government he views as illegitimate. By framing these engagements as flawed, Massoud positions the NRF's struggle within a broader narrative of resistance against not just the Taliban but also poor international diplomacy.
3) Conclusion
The interview provides insight into Ahmad Massoud’s perspective on the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, emphasizing issues of legitimacy, resistance, and the need for an international response that fosters political solutions rather than mere transactional engagements. His responses reflect a nuanced understanding of the complexities at play in Afghanistan, suggesting that for peace to be achieved, a concerted global effort must be made to recognize and address the needs of the Afghan people—aligning with his legacy and vision for the nation.
Unfortunately Gupta misses the part of asking Ahmad Massoud about deeper information on Taliban's human rights abuses and terrorism, which are the main reasons for armed resistance and insurgence. There was also certainly some room to ask about supporters of the Taliban.
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