Former Ghani Adviser Calls for Girls’ Education, National Unity in Afghanistan

DID Press: Ali Muhammadi, a former adviser to Ashraf Ghani and political activist, has argued that the failures of Afghanistan’s politicians cannot be explained solely by external factors, saying that resolving the fundamental issues of girls’ education and creating a shared sense of national ownership among citizens could help manage conflicts and change the international community’s perception of Afghanistan.

Muhammadi wrote that if all Afghans, regardless of ethnic or political affiliation, viewed the country as belonging to them, and the issue of girls’ education were resolved, many of the country’s current crises could be managed. He added that achieving these two goals could have prevented the international community from treating Afghanistan with contempt and could have strengthened the country’s position in regional affairs.

The political activist also said that difficult circumstances sometimes force societies to choose between “bad and worse,” arguing that such a choice can be a transitional stage that ultimately creates an opportunity to choose between “good and bad.”

Muhammadi concluded by warning that Afghanistan is exposed to broader geopolitical developments in the region, but said politicians’ failure to protect the country’s national interests cannot be justified solely by external factors.