[Tolo News] Prominent former Jihadi commander Abdul Rasoul Sayyaf on Monday warned the government against side lining the Mujahedeen regarding issues of national interest such as security and national defense.He called on government leaders to consider a larger role for them to defend national illusory sovereignty and the people.
Speaking at a gathering marking the 27th anniversary of the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan, Sayyaf urged government to give the Mujahedeen a part in defending the country in order to help thwart threats against the political system and the country.
Sayyaf said that if the government does not allow the Mujahedeen to help defend the country, then the Mujahedeen will intervene, a move which according to Sayyaf would have negative consequences.
The gathering was also attended by several other Jihadi figures. In their speeches, they accused the government of pushing the Mujahedeen to the sidelines, which according to them has also led to an unprecedented surge on security threats.
"The security situation is getting worse day by day. The system must take our calls into consideration as it is failing to maintain security and failing to push the enemy back. This is just because they (government) have tightened the hands of the Mujahedeen deliberately or in ignorance," Sayyaf said.
He said that the continuation of the current situation could pose serious threats to Afghanistan's stability. He also announced that a plan has been formulated by the Jihadi commanders for security and economic development. This will be shared with the people and the government in the near future, he said.
"If they (government) do not allow the nation to secure its national illusory sovereignty and defend the country, then the responsibility of what could happen tomorrow will be on those who have bound the hands and legs of the people. They (government officials) have their passports in their pockets and whatever happens tomorrow, only the oppressed nation of this country will be burnt in the smoke and fire of the invaders," he said.
He said that government rules the people by force, warning that government must step up efforts and let the people contribute to the security of the country within the framework of the system, otherwise, the people will act.
"If people are not allowed to mobilize against the enemy to defend the country, then the people will be compelled to take action and defend their soil, this will undoubtedly lead to disorder and we do not support it," Sayyaf said.
Referring to recent efforts for brokering peace talks with the Taliban, Sayyaf said that these talks could be a conspiracy to divide the country as there is no clear indication of whom we are negotiating with.
"Anyone who engages in the talks must be a true son of this soil. We support any move for peace. But on condition that the talks are not conducted on the basis of ethnicity, language and geography. I want to urge the Taliban as well not to be fooled by any plot which can disintegrate Afghanistan, the unity of Afghanistan's geography is quite important," Sayyaf added.
Touching on the issue of parliamentary and provincial council elections, Sayyaf said that the timeline for the elections announced by the government was not appropriate.
In addition, some members of the Solidarity and Protection Council of Afghanistan also highlighted the threat emerging from Daesh [Islamic State] and Taliban and raised questions over possible plots.