Kabul, Afghanistan – Former Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani has sparked political controversy in Afghanistan. He warned of what he described as a “bloody project” targeting the Afghan people. He stressed that halting this course and preventing the country from sliding into a new wave of violence must be a national priority for all parties.
Ghani’s remarks came in a new message circulated by Afghan activists and politicians, amid growing concern about a return to internal conflict, assassinations, and deep divisions within society.
In his message, Ghani stressed that there are “forces working to plunge the country into a new quagmire of bloodshed.” However, he did not name those involved. He suggested that the project is exploiting the political and economic turmoil that has gripped Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power in August 2011.
He added that “Afghans have paid a heavy price for decades, and the tragedy cannot be allowed to be repeated under any pretext.”
These statements come amid mounting internal criticism of the Taliban’s policies, particularly given the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the absence of any comprehensive political agreement. Waves of displacement continue, along with the widespread attacks carried out by extremist groups such as ISIS-Khorasan.
Observers believe that Ghani’s remarks reflect genuine concerns. They fear the conflict could escalate from armed groups to a wider internal struggle, potentially deepening divisions between ethnicities, tribes, and political factions.
Afghan journalist Sir Kakar commented on Ghani’s message, noting that Ghani’s warning comes at a sensitive time when the country is experiencing a state of simmering discontent.
In televised remarks, Kakar considered the former president’s call for Afghans to prioritize “preventing internal collapse” as an indication that current developments could spiral out of the control of traditional power brokers if the political deadlock persists.
He explained that the letter could open a new discussion about the future of the political process in Afghanistan. It could raise the possibility of returning to a comprehensive negotiating track that would prevent the country from relapsing into a new cycle of violence. This is especially relevant given the increasing international and regional pressure on the Taliban to implement reforms that would guarantee stability.
