Jalali Calls Resistance to Taliban Legitimate, Urges National Unity

DID Press: Ali Ahmad Jalali, Afghanistan’s former interior minister, has described popular resistance against the Taliban as legitimate, saying sporadic protests and acts of defiance alone are not enough, but that continued national and organized resistance could pave the way for political change and the Taliban’s downfall.

Jalali cited popular reactions in Badakhshan as an example of resistance against authoritarian rule and warned that such movements could spread to other parts of Afghanistan.

He stressed that fragmented uprisings without coordination and unified leadership cannot achieve the desired outcome, arguing that only a broad-based national movement can effectively challenge the Taliban.

According to Jalali, the absence of national unity and unified leadership among the Taliban’s opponents remains one of the main challenges. He said political change would remain difficult until opposition groups coordinate their efforts.

Jalali also said political forces and opponents of the Taliban outside Afghanistan have a responsibility to establish national unity and leadership, arguing that people inside the country are under pressure and authoritarian rule, while opposition groups abroad are themselves facing internal divisions.

His comments come as several armed groups opposing the Taliban have recently reported an increase in their attacks. However, the lack of coordination and unified leadership remains a major obstacle to the success of resistance efforts.