Afghanistan marks one year since Taliban seizure as woes mount

The Taliban on Monday marked a year since they seized the Afghan capital of Kabul, a rapid takeover that triggered a hasty escape of the nation’s western-backed leaders, sent the economy into a tailspin and fundamentally transformed the country.

Bearded Taliban fighters, some hoisting rifles or the white banners of their movement, held small victory parades on foot, bicycles and motorcycles in the streets of the capital.

One small group marched past the former US embassy, chanting “Long live Islam” and “Death to America”.

A year after the dramatic day, much has changed in Afghanistan.

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Afghan boys during celebrations one year after the Taliban seized the Afghan capital, Kabul (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The economic downturn has driven millions more Afghans into poverty and even hunger, as the flow of foreign aid slowed to a trickle.

Meanwhile, hardliners appear to hold sway in the Taliban-led government, which imposed severe restrictions on access to education and jobs for girls and women, despite initial promises to the contrary.

A year on, teenage girls are still barred from school and women are required to cover themselves head to toe in public, with only the eyes showing.

Some are trying to find ways to keep education from stalling for a generation of young women, and underground schools in homes have sprung up.

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A Taliban fighter in front of the former US embassy in Kabul (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

Some flights resumed relatively quickly. On Monday, a handful of commercial flights were scheduled to land and take off from a runway that last summer saw Afghan men clinging to the wheels of planes taking off, some falling to their death.

School playgrounds stood empty on Monday as the Taliban announced a public holiday to mark the day, which they refer to as The Proud Day of August 15 and the First Anniversary of the Return to Power.

“Reliance on God and the support of the people brought this great victory and freedom to the country,” wrote Abdul Wahid Rayan, the head of the Taliban-run Bakhtar News Agency.

“Today, August 15, marks the victory of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan against America and its allies’ occupation of Afghanistan.”

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Taliban fighters (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

In remarks broadcast live by state radio and TV, he boasted of what he described as “great achievements” under the Taliban, such as the alleged end of corruption, improved security and banned poppy cultivation.

On the eve of the anniversary, former Afghan president Ashraf Ghani defended what he said was a split-second decision to flee, saying he wanted to avoid the humiliation of surrender to the insurgents.

He told CNN that on the morning of August 15, 2021, with the Taliban at the gates of Kabul, he was the last one at the presidential palace after his guards had disappeared.

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A Taliban fighter mans his weapon (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

“This will require an inclusive political process with full, equal and meaningful participation of all Afghan men and women and respect for human rights,” Niklasson wrote.

German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock said an international responsibility toward Afghanistan remains after the Nato withdrawal.

“A regime that tramples on human rights cannot under any circumstances be recognised,” she said in a statement.

“But we must not forget the people in Afghanistan, even a year after the Taliban takeover.”

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