Afghanistan's central bank chief Ajmal Ahmady flees Kabul, shares ordeal on Twitter

By Team NewsableFirst Published Aug 17, 2021, 4:43 PM IST
Highlights

Acting Governor Ajmal Ahmady also stated that US dollar supplies were decreasing and detailed leaving the capital on a military jet in a Twitter thread on Monday explaining how he worked at the bank until terrorists were at the city's gates.

Ajmal Ahmady, the governor of Afghanistan's central bank, has departed Kabul, calling into doubt the allegiance of Afghan security forces and blaming President Ashraf Ghani and his inexperienced advisors for the country's quick and chaotic collapse to the Taliban.

Acting Governor Ajmal Ahmady also stated that US dollar supplies were decreasing and detailed leaving the capital on a military jet in a Twitter thread on Monday explaining how he worked at the bank until terrorists were at the city's gates.

Read more |  Afghan conflict: ‘I’m waiting for Taliban to come for people like me and kill me’, says Afghan female mayor

As per the Twitter thread, he said on Sunday reports were worrisome, left the bank. He felt terrible about leaving staff and was disgusted by the lack of any planning by Afghan leadership. Ahmady further said he saw them at the airport leaving the country without informing others.

1/The collapse of the Government in Afghanistan this past week was so swift and complete - it was disorienting and difficult to comprehend.

This is how the events seemed to proceed from my perspective as Central Bank Governor.

— Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady)

4/Currency volatility and other indicators had worsened, but DAB were able to stabilize the macroeconomic environment relatively well during the last week - given the deteriorating security environment.

Then came last Thursday

— Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady)

6/Friday - we received a call that given the deteriorating environment, we wouldn’t get any more dollar shipments.

People spread rumors that I had fled on Friday.

On Saturday, DAB had to supply less currency to the markets on Saturday, which further increased panic.

— Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady)

8/On Saturday night, my family called to say that most government had already left. I was dumbfounded.

A security assessment accurately forecast Taliban arrival to Kabul within 36 hours and its fall within 56 hours

I got worried & purchased tickets for Monday as a precaution

— Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady)

Ahmady said he boarded a military plane amid pandemonium on the airport after a commercial trip he booked was overcrowded. It wasn't apparent whose military jet he boarded, and he didn't say where he was going. Ghani's lack of preparation and unwillingness to recognise the deficiencies of his advisers, according to Ahmady, was the government's downfall.
As per reports, deposed Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country on Sunday as the Taliban entered Kabul virtually unopposed.

Also Read | Afghanistan's central bank chief Ajmal Ahmady flees Kabul, shares ordeal on Twitter

12/However, I decided to disembark and spotted another military plane. It was surrounded by people trying to board, while the guard forces held people back and boarded their embassy staff.

There was a rush. Some shots were fired. Somehow, my close colleagues pushed me on board. pic.twitter.com/VAGFILTJTT

— Ajmal Ahmady (@aahmady)

According to a brief biography provided on the official website, he was named acting governor of Afghanistan's central bank a little over a year ago, after working at the US Treasury, the World Bank, and private equity.

click me!