For the first time from exile, former President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan has revealed his location and gave his own account of how Kabul fell, and he left for the UAE August 15.
Ghani said he left in the interest of the entire country, and will be back for justice for the Afghans.
“What had happened 25 years ago in Afghanistan was going to take place again. That was why I fled because that needed to be avoided, a shameful development like that,” he said in a live Facebook broadcast.
“The dignity of Afghanistan was important for me, and that was to be ensured, so I had to leave Afghanistan to prevent bloodshed, in order to make sure that a huge disaster (was) avoided”
Ghani, a US renowned expert on failed states, said he left his country on the advice of government officials.
“Kabul should not be turned into another Yemen or Syria overpower struggle so I was forced to leave,” Ghani said.
Dismissing a Reuters report that he shipped out with millions of dollars and four cars in a chopper, Ghani said he left Kabul in his waistcoat and some clothes.
“The accusations are baseless lies. You can even ask customs officials – they are baseless,” he said.
He assured his work is not over yet, and won’t be on the run all his life.
“I’m in the UAE so that disasters are avoided. I’m in consultation with others until I (can) return so that I can continue my efforts for justice for the Afghans.
“I have no intention to remain in exile,” he said.