Former Afghan Leader Karzai Pushes for Unity, Rights, & Public Voice

In an interview with Der Spiegel, Hamid Karzai stressed that people, regardless of ethnicity or ideology, should feel a sense of belonging and have both the right and responsibility to determine their country’s future.

He reiterated the importance of equal rights for all citizens in shaping Afghanistan’s future.

Asked why no organised resistance has emerged against the Taliban, Karzai said: “No one wants Afghanistan to descend into chaos again. But the Afghans certainly want girls’ education, women’s rights and a government based on the will of the people.”

Karzai acknowledged internal differences within the Taliban, saying such divisions can exist in any government. He added that Afghanistan needs economic growth, which requires inclusive participation and a stable political system.

Emphasising the need for intra-Afghan dialogue, he said the country can only progress if the Taliban and other Afghans work together to build a better future.

He also noted that the Taliban are part of Afghanistan, and that the country needs broad participation, a shared national identity and protection of citizens’ rights.

Karzai has previously voiced concern over the lack of an inclusive government and the closure of political space in Afghanistan. In this interview, he more explicitly highlighted the principle of equal citizenship, inclusive participation and the people’s right to determine the country’s future.

Federalism Could Address Power Imbalance In Afghanistan, Says Former VP Danish

Apr 21, 2026, 16:13 GMT+1

Former Afghan vice-president Sarwar Danish says critics of federalism misunderstand it, arguing it could help manage ethnic diversity and ensure fair power-sharing in Afghanistan.

Danish made the remarks on Tuesday in response to comments by Anwar-ul-Haq Ahady, who had described federalism as a major disaster and backed a centralised system based on civic nationalism.

Rejecting Ahadi’s view as unrealistic, Danish said federalism is both feasible and long discussed in Afghanistan’s academic and political circles, supported by historical and analytical research.

He argued that such a system could offer an effective framework for managing ethnic diversity and distributing power more equitably.

Addressing concerns about the cost of a federal bureaucracy, Danish said justice, broader public participation and reduced ethnic tensions outweigh administrative expenses. He added that without such a system, internal conflicts could impose far greater costs.

Referring to smaller and medium-sized countries with federal systems, he dismissed claims that federalism is unsuitable for Afghanistan, saying it could be implemented while preserving national unity.

Danish concluded that federalism is a tool to promote justice and reduce ethnic divides, not deepen them, and described opposing views as rooted in traditional “ethnic nationalism”, which he said has failed to build a nation in Afghanistan, even if relabelled as civic nationalism.

Russia Flags Afghanistan Instability As Risk To Central Asia Security

Apr 21, 2026, 13:41 GMT+1

Russia’s foreign minister says instability in Afghanistan and the Middle East could threaten security in Central Asia and the CSTO region, warning that terrorism and drug trafficking remain ongoing concerns.

Sergei Lavrov made the remarks on Monday, April 20, at a meeting of the CSTO Parliamentary Assembly Council, referring to instability in Afghanistan, the Gulf crisis and rising tensions across the Middle East.

He also pointed to a deadlock in efforts to establish a Palestinian state, saying continued conflict and Israeli policies have reduced prospects for statehood and worsened conditions in Gaza and the West Bank.

Russia is the only country to have formally recognised the Taliban administration. Moscow has repeatedly warned about the consequences of instability in Afghanistan.

Russian officials have previously described Afghanistan as a regional threat, with the foreign ministry cautioning that the presence of extra-regional military actors could trigger further conflict in the country.

Thousands Still Displaced Six Months After Afghanistan Earthquake, Says UN

Apr 21, 2026, 12:18 GMT+1

The UN says more than 7,600 families in eastern Afghanistan are still living in temporary shelters six months after a major earthquake, with over 221,000 people in urgent need of aid.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a report on Tuesday, April 21, that the quake damaged homes and infrastructure in Kunar and Nangarhar, disrupting access to education and healthcare.

The only health facility in the area treats more than 100 patients daily, while many residents must walk long distances for medical care. OCHA said funding shortages and declining global aid have hampered relief efforts.

A female head of household in Kunar said: “I only have a tent and my children are young. I have no money or home, and my children’s lives are at risk in the cold.”

The UN added that temporary tents do not provide adequate protection against cold, rain or summer heat, and available resources fall far short of what is needed for full reconstruction and long-term resilience.

The magnitude-6 earthquake in eastern Afghanistan destroyed homes and key infrastructure, killing more than 2,000 people. Survivors have yet to return to normal life.

EU Plans Brussels Talks With Taliban On Deportation Of Afghan Migrants

Apr 21, 2026, 09:33 GMT+1

Diplomatic sources say the EU plans to invite a Taliban delegation to Brussels to discuss the return of Afghan migrants, though no formal invitation has yet been issued.

The visit had initially been planned for late March but has now been postponed to the coming weeks.

A diplomatic source told AFP: “The idea is to invite them before summer” adding that the Taliban delegation would be a “technical” team.

Another source said European officials are assessing information on flights and Kabul airport capacity, while also discussing with the Taliban the fate of returnees.

The visit, coordinated by the European Commission and several member states, follows two earlier trips by European officials to Afghanistan for preliminary talks on the issue.

The EU’s migration commissioner had previously confirmed that the bloc has held discussions with the Taliban on returning Afghan asylum seekers.

The EU aims to return individuals whose asylum claims have been rejected, a move that has raised concerns among human rights groups and international organisations.

Around 20 EU countries are exploring ways to deport Afghan migrants, particularly those convicted of crimes.

Germany began this process months ago and has deported more than 100 Afghans since 2024 via charter flights operated with Qatar’s assistance. Austria has pursued a similar approach.

Although the EU has not formally recognised the Taliban administration, it has maintained a diplomatic presence in Afghanistan.

EU countries received around one million asylum applications from Afghans between 2013 and 2024, with Afghans forming the largest group of applicants last year.

Former Minister Atmar Rejects Durand Line Recognition, Cites Public Opposition

Apr 21, 2026, 08:40 GMT+1

Former Afghan foreign minister Haneef Atmar says recent remarks on the Durand Line do not reflect Afghanistan’s historical realities and go against public sentiment.

Without naming Mohammad Mohaqiq, Atmar said on X on Monday that such positions represent a departure from the demands and feelings of the Afghan people. He described the Durand Line as an “imposed imaginary line” that ignored national will.

Mohaqiq, leader of the People’s Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan and a member of the High Council for National Resistance, said on Sunday that he recognises the Durand Line as the official border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He stressed that he is committed to borders recognised by the United Nations.

Atmar, a senior figure in the former governments of Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani, has held key roles including foreign minister, interior minister and national security adviser.

He said recognising the Durand Line is “unacceptable and contrary to national sovereignty”, arguing that the Afghan people do not accept it and that it was imposed on the country.

He added that no political consideration “can or should” override the people’s right to sovereignty and self-determination.

Mohaqiq’s remarks have drawn reactions from other Afghan politicians.

Rahmatullah Nabil, former head of Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security, said the comments appeared more like a “questionable political shift” than a clear legal position.

In his interview, Mohaqiq said that regardless of who signed the original agreement under Amir Abdur Rahman Khan, the United Nations and the international community now recognise the Durand Line.

He also argued that those raising territorial claims against Pakistan should consider their capacity, describing Pakistan as a nuclear power and opposing continued dispute with Islamabad.

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