Ashraf Ghani.Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty
“Where is my president? Where is President [Ashraf] Ghani?”
Ghani’s exact whereabouts and condition were murky in the days after he fled Afghanistan with his family on Sunday as it became clear the Taliban was overtaking the capital of Kabul.
Shortly after he left, the Taliban entered the presidential palace. Some of the country’s remaining political figures are said to now be in discussions with the insurgents about a transfer of power and the details of a new government
“The Taliban have won with the judgment of their swords and guns, and are now responsible for the honor, property and self-preservation of their countrymen,” he said.
A source told Fox News that Ghani decided to leave “in minutes,” after he attempted to negotiate safe passage with Taliban leaders.
“There should have been a plan for evacuations. No one expected things to move this fast, even the Taliban,” the source told Fox News.
“The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation can confirm that the UAE has welcomed President Ashraf Ghani and his family into the country on humanitarian grounds,” the Foreign Ministry said in their statement.
The Pentagon did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment regarding whether the U.S. has been in touch with Ghani.
He was elected president of Afghanistan in 2014, succeeding Hamid Karzai, who led the country following the 2001 U.S. invasion.
According to Reuters, Ghani holds a doctorate in anthropology from Columbia University and used his presidency to place several younger and well-educated Afghans in leadership positions.
Officials have suggested the Taliban, who has been in communication with the U.S. military during the evacuation, will avoid the military during this work.
In a speech on Monday, PresidentJoe Bidenacknowledged there had been mistakes in how themilitary exit unfolded— which fueled a chorus of criticism at home — but said he had not wavered in his estimation about what was best for the country after a 20-year war that he said wasn’t worth the cost.
“I’m clear on my answer,” said Biden, 78. “I will not repeat the mistakes that we’ve made in the past.”
Elsewhere in his speech, Biden warned the U.S. military would respond with “devastating force” if the Taliban interfered with evacuation efforts.
source: people.com
