Afghanistan crisis
'It did not have to end this way' : Chief of Afghan central bank
The governor of Afghanistan's central bank, who escaped the Taliban after the terror group captured Kabul, has blamed President Ashraf Ghani for relying on inexperienced advisers and also questioned the loyalty of national security forces.
Acting Governor Ajmal Ahmady in a battery of Tweets on Monday detailed how he worked at the bank until terrorists reached the gates of the city, said that US dollar supplies were dwindling and described escaping the capital on a military flight.
"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," he tweeted.
"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,"
Ghani fled Afghanistan on Sunday as Kabul fell to the Taliban without a fight.
"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 pla,"Ahmady, 43, wrote, pouring his disappointment at Afghanistan's civilian leadership.
He assumed the role of acting governor of Afghanistan's central bank only over a year ago, having gained experience of working at the US Treasury, the World Bank and in private equity, according to a short biography posted on a government website.
"Seems difficult to believe, but there remains a suspicion as to why (Afghan National Security Forces) left posts so quickly," Ahmady said, referring to claims by some pro-government militia leaders of that the army's capitulation in northern Afghanistan was the result of a conspiracy.
"There is something left unexplained."
His remarks were posted from his verified Twitter account.
As the Taliban approached Kabul, Ahmady said Afghanistan's currency markets went haywire, especially after the central bank on Friday was informed the supply of dollars would be stopped, driving the price of Afghanistan's currency, the Afghani, sharply lower.
"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," Ahmady said.
Ahmady said he took a military aircraft amid turbulence on the tarmac after a commercial flight he booked was filled with passengers.
He hasn't revealed his destination till now.
"There was a rush. Some shots were fired. Somehow, my close colleagues pushed me on board," he said.
"He himself had great ideas but poor execution. If I contributed to that, I take my share of the blame," he added.
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