Biden could have known?
Here is what Ajmal Ahmady, DAB Governor || Economic Advisor to the President of Afghanistan || TAPI Board Member || Former Minister of Industry & Commerce || Harvard MBA and MPA/ID
http://www.afghaneconomics.com/ourteam.html
had to say on August 16th:
The collapse of the Government in Afghanistan this past week was so swift and complete - it was disorienting and difficult to comprehend.
This is how the events seemed to proceed from my perspective as Central Bank Governor.
Although much of the rural areas fell to the Taliban over the past few months, the first provincial capital to fall was just 1 week and two days ago!
On Friday August 6th, Ziranj fell. Over the next 6 days, a number of other provinces fell - particularly in the north.
There were multiple rumors that directions to not fight were somehow coming from above.
This has been repeated by Atta Noor and Ismael Khan.
Seems difficult to believe, but there remains a suspicion as to why ANSF left posts so quickly. There is something left unexplained
Currency volatility and other indicators had worsened, but DAB were able to stabilize the macroeconomic environment relatively well during the last week - given the deteriorating security environment.
Then came last Thursday
I attended my normal meetings. Ghazni fell in the morning.
I left work, and by the time I went home - Herat, Kandahar, and Baghdis also fell. Helmand was also under serious attack
Friday - we received a call that given the deteriorating environment, we wouldn’t get any more dollar shipments.
People spread rumors that I had fled on Friday.
On Saturday, DAB had to supply less currency to the markets on Saturday, which further increased panic.
Currency spiked from a stable 81 to almost 100 then back to 86. I held meetings on Saturday to reassure banks and money exchangers to calm them down. I can’t believe that was one day before Kabul fell
On Saturday night, my family called to say that most government had already left. I was dumbfounded.
A security assessment accurately forecast Taliban arrival to Kabul within 36 hours and its fall within 56 hours
I got worried & purchased tickets for Monday as a precaution
On Sunday I began work. Reports throughout morning were increasingly worrisome. I left the bank and left deputies in charge. Felt terrible about leaving staff.
But arrived at airport & saw that Mohaqeq, Rahmani, Massoud, etc were already there! Head of parliament seems content
Saw VP Danish leaving - reportedly for Qatar. By then it was rumored that VP Saleh had left.
Ministers + others were waiting for a Fly Dubai & Emirates flights. Both were cancelled
I secured a Kam Air flight Sunday 7pm. Then the floor fell: the President had already left
I knew right then my flight would be cancelled and there would be chaos.
As expected employees & military left posts. Everyone ran through gates to on Kam Air flight. 300+ passengers boarded for a 100-seat plane.
The plane had no fuel or pilot. We all hoped it would depart
However, I decided to disembark and spotted another military plane. It was surrounded by people trying to board, while the guard forces held people back and boarded their embassy staff.
There was a rush. Some shots were fired. Somehow, my close colleagues pushed me on board.
It did not have to end this way. I am disgusted by the lack of any planning by Afghan leadership. Saw at airport them leave without informing others.
I asked the palace if there was an evacuation plan/charter flights. After 7 years of service, I was met with silence
During last days, I feared not only risks related to Taliban, but fear of transition period once there is no chain of command.
Once president’s departure was announced, I knew within minutes chaos would follow. I cannot forgive him for creating that without a transition plan
I did not criticize them until now, but key figures Fazly & Mohib were too inexperienced in their roles, & was President’s failure that he never recognized such weaknesses.
He himself had great ideas but poor execution. If I contributed to that, I take my share of the blame.
And it seems it’s only gotten worse today at HKIA.
And this. I will be trying to support any requests for assistance, but worry that given my personal experience at airport that any support for friends and colleagues be limited
Did I have a reason to worry? This is the text someone sent me:
“Taliban come to <area> and were looking for you. They were asking about Ajmal Ahmady DAB Governor.”
Whatever their personal views, I also had many personal enemies. Or maybe they just wanted to greet me