The only piece of Afghan territory that has yet to say no to the Taliban power, the steep Panchir valley, located a hundred kilometers north of Kabul, is the center of attention. Thursday, August 19, the head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, himself pointed out the existence “Armed resistance” in this enclave and the presence of fighters gathered behind the former Afghan vice-president Amrullah Saleh, and Ahmah Shah Massoud, son of the famous commander Massoud, known as the “lion of Panchir”, killed by Al-Qaida on September 10, 2001 .
This valley is remembered for having escaped, between 1996 and 2001, all attempts at occupation by the Taliban, while they ruled the country until the American intervention.
Twenty years later, if the situation seems similar, the balance of power has nevertheless greatly changed. The Taliban are better organized and more powerful militarily. The recluses of Panchir did not benefit, this time, from any support from abroad. The supply routes for materials and food are cut off.
Joined, Thursday, by The world, Mr. Saleh, born in Panchir and head of Afghan intelligence from 2004 to 2010, responded in an audio exchange, the first granted since the fall of the Afghan government on August 15. He has indicated that he is ready to negotiate with the new regime if it gives “His say to the Afghan people on the type of state” who will preside over the destinies of the country. He did not specify what he expected from the new masters of Kabul in terms of the participation of Afghans in political and institutional choices. The Taliban have already indicated that they intend to apply Sharia law and that they will set up a “government of God”.
Last stand
If Mr. Saleh assures that there will be, on his part and those around him, “No surrender” or “No declaration of allegiance”, his remarks resemble, in some respects, a last-ditch and an outstretched hand for lack of being able to really oppose militarily.
“I am constitutionally the incumbent President of Afghanistan, I carry the Constitution on my shoulders, we have legitimacy, he continued. If the Taliban want to be legitimate, at home and internationally, they need to know that power obtained by force does not guarantee legitimacy, it is only a matter of time before it shatters. . ”
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