In his book titled "Behind the Curtain of Politics," Mohib presents his account of the collapse of the Republic of Afghanistan with precision and clarity. This book examines the political disputes in Kabul, the weakness and corruption of government institutions, and the competition among political figures. Mohib particularly highlights the role of Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the former President of Afghanistan, in these developments, describing him as a politician who believed in institution-building and fighting corruption.
Ghani's Narrative and Political Disputes
In this book, Mohib introduces Ghani as an individual who sought to "rescue power from the clutches of warlords." He also refers to the deep challenges between Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah; a dispute that, according to Mohib, went beyond a simple political rivalry and permeated the structure of the government. At one point, both separately declared themselves the winners of the election and designated separate venues for the inauguration ceremony.
Mohib writes that this political divide became so deep that even ministries and security forces were split into two factions and did not cooperate. According to him, this duality diminished the government's ability to make decisions and implement policies, eroding the republic from within.
Criticism of Political Figures
Mohib also criticizes political figures such as Salahuddin Rabbani and Hanif Atmar. He describes Rabbani as lacking confidence and critiques his tenure as Minister of Foreign Affairs. Mohib believes that many of these figures were more loyal to their close associates and political circles, which hindered structural changes in Afghanistan's politics.
Furthermore, Mohib points to corruption in the Afghan embassy in Washington, discussing instances where embassy officials prioritized personal interests over national interests. This situation, according to Mohib, reflects the inefficiency and corruption within Afghanistan's political structure.
Ultimately, Mohib acknowledges that he was not immune to ethnic biases and initially viewed Abdullah Abdullah with caution and distrust. However, upon closer acquaintance, he concluded that Abdullah was loyal to Afghanistan. All these developments illustrate the political and social complexities in Afghanistan and the challenges ahead in building a democratic and effective government.
