The Vienna process offers an authentic alternative to the Talibani

This week, over 100 Afghans from different ethnic and minority groups gathered in Vienna, Austria, for the fifth meeting of the Vienna process for a democratic Afghanistan. In the last two years, the Vienna process has appeared as a primary forum for anti-taliban resistance movements to coordinate, strategy and graphics a common path. While the international community endeavored to formulate a coherent approach to Afghanistan, this increasing coalition of opposition groups has constantly built a frame for an alternative future.

The Vienna process has grown both in the scope and influence since its establishment in September 2022, one year after the Taliban’s return to power. The first round brought together over 30 participants from various Afghan minorities and ethnic groups, who issued a common statement rejecting the Taliban’s control as unacceptable. Perhaps the most significant result was the appearance of Ahmad Massoud, the son of the famous anti-Taliban commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, as a facto leader of resistance.

Until April 2023, the second round expanded to include a wider range of activists, representing various ethnic, religious and political averages. While Massoud and the National Resistance Front remained central, the representatives of the Ankara, Hazara and Uzbek coalition played key roles. In particular, almost half of the participants were women. This time, they took a bolder step, agreeing to support all forms of resistance against the Taliban, including the armed struggle.

The third round of December 2023 registered an even larger participation, with over 50 representatives of anti-taliban groups. For the first time, Abdul Rashid Dostum, a Uzbek commander and an Afghan PowerBroker for a long time, sent a personal sent. The presence of international observers in the US and Europe have reported an increasing recognition of the resistance movement.

Until June 2024, the fourth round increased to 70 participants, including influential figures, such as former Afghan vice -president, Yunus Qanuni; Leader Hazara Mohammad Mohaqiq; And Anarkali Honaryar, an Afghan Sikh. The activist for women’s rights of Parwana Ibrahimkhel, who was incarcerated by the Talibans in 2022, was also joined to develop a roadmap for the future of Afghanistan, participants entered working groups focused on politics, human rights and human rights and economy.

The fifth round this week was even bigger and included almost 100 participants. For the first time, there was a session that offered the US and Europe international observers an opportunity to speak and engage. In addition to Ahmad Massoud, other notable participants included Yasin Zia, the leader of the Freedom Front of Afghanistan; And the rank Dadfar Spanta, the former counselor of national security in the country.

The biggest result of this meeting was the agreement with a roadmap that various working groups have been drafted since the last meeting in June. This program is the opposition attempt to show that there is an alternative to the current Taliban rule. All aspects of the future and society of Afghanistan are covered to include future economic development, security, diplomatic relations and human rights, with a special emphasis on women’s rights.

Also, a special commission of 19 members representing all the walks of the Afghan society was formed. This commission will work together and coordinate an answer to implement the roadmap.

At the center of the Vienna process is Massoud. Ever since he fled to his ancestral homeland in the Panjshir Valley, north of Kabul, Massoud has been following a double approach to combat Taliban. Military, NRF is active in many provinces in Afghanistan, first of all in the north, using guerrilla war tactics to target the taliban forces. Only last year, NRF launched dozens of attacks, which made a persistent security challenge for the Talibans. Diplomatically, Massoud has led an international effort to raise resistance and build alliances. This is one of the main reasons why the Vienna process has won impulse.

The Vienna process offers a good rare news about Afghanistan. Ever since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they have shown little ability to govern efficiently. The country is experiencing an acute humanitarian crisis that worsens each year, and the economic situation remains serious, as the questions arise on the sustainability of international aid. Meanwhile, human rights conditions continue to deteriorate, persecuted ethnic minorities, forbidden girls and forced women come out of many jobs. However, the participants in the NRF process and others from Vienna show that an alternative future is possible. Today’s situation mirrors in the 90s, when the Northern Alliance controlled only 10 percent of Afghanistan, however, refused to surrender to the Taliban. Also, NRF and other resistance groups must continue their fight and make sure that the world does not forget them.

The Taliban itself is deeply divided, the competing fractions competing for power. These internal fractures could create opportunities for anti-taliban resistance to establish safe areas and recover the territory. The international community would be wise to engage more seriously with the Vienna process. While some international observers participated in this week’s meeting, no high government officials attended. At the next meeting of the Vienna process, representatives such as the Special US messenger for Afghanistan and counterparts from other nations – even if only observers should attend. It does not make much sense that much of the international community engages with Taliban as de facto leaders in Afghanistan, while they cannot establish a significant dialogue with resistance movements, such as nof and others in the Vienna process.

With each round, the Vienna process became more inclusive and more strategic, positioning itself as the most significant platform for Afghanistan anti-Taliban resistance. Global decision makers should take note.

Read in Arabic news.