Ashraf Ghani apologizes for abandoning Afghanistan

Ashraf Ghani in an emotional letter has apologized for abandoning Afghanistan. Ghani said that he had to leave Afghanistan to prevent "horrific street-to-street fighting" reminiscent of the civil war in the 1990s.

Hyderabad: Ashraf Ghani, the ousted President of the erstwhile Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, in a statement has said that he never intended to abandon the people of Afghanistan. In an emotional letter, Ghani said that he had to leave Afghanistan to prevent "horrific street-to-street fighting" reminiscent of the civil war in the 1990s.

Ghani said that he left the country at the urging of his security team. "Leaving Kabul was the most difficult decision of my life, but I believed that it was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and her 6 million citizens," Ghani said.

I have devoted 20 years of my life in helping the Afghan people work toward building a democratic, prosperous, and sovereign state - it was never my intent to abandon the people or that vision, he added.

Ghani reportedly fled Afghanistan on August 15 as the Taliban fighters moved in to take control of the capital city of Kabul. Ghani, who flew out of the country, in a pre-recorded public address a day earlier, had reassured the citizens of Kabul that his government was mobilising defence forces and he would not allow "the imposed war" to bring further killings and loss.

After Ghani's hushed departure from the country, Russian official media had reported that he fled the country aboard a helicopter stuffed with money. Rubbishing the claims, Ghani said the allegations made against him were "completely and categorically false." He said that fighting corruption had been the focus of his Presidency.

"My wife and I have been scrupulous in our personal finances. I have publicly declared all of my assets. My wife's family inheritance has also been disclosed and remains listed in her home country of Lebanon," Ghani stated. He further said that he would welcome an official audit or financial investigation under the auspices of the United Nations or any other independent body to prove his statement.

Ghani paid his respects to all Afghans, especially Afghan soldiers, for their sacrifices. He expressed regret at the tragic end of his rule "without ensuring stability and prosperity." Ghani proclaimed that his commitment to the Afghan people will guide him for the rest of his life.