‘Fled to ensure peace’; Ghani apologises to nation, denies cash theft

Ghani fled the country in August—same day the Taliban entered the Kabul and drew bitter criticism from former allies who accused him of betrayal.

In a statement published on Twitter on Wednesday, Ex-president said he left on August 15 at the urging of the palace security to avoid the risk of bloody street fighting, and again denied stealing millions from the treasury.

The 72-year-old former president fled to the UAE before the Taliban seized power.

He apologised to the people for leaving the country abruptly, saying he believed it was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and its six million people.

"I owe the Afghan people an explanation for leaving Kabul abruptly on August 15 after Taliban unexpectedly enter the city. I left at the urging of the palace security who advised me that to remain risked setting off the same horrific street-to-street fighting the city had suffered during the Civil War of the 1990s," Ghani said.

"Leaving Kabul was the most difficult decision of my life," he said, adding that he was sorry that he could not make it end differently.

He further said, "My wife and I have been scrupulous in our personal finances. I have publicly declared all of my assets," adding that he welcomes an official audit or financial investigation under UN auspices or any other appropriate independent body to prove the veracity of his statements.

"I offer my profound appreciation and respect for the sacrifice of all Afghans, especially our Afghan soldiers and their families, through the last 40 years. It is with deep and profound regret that my own chapter ended in similar tragedy to my predecessors - without ensuring stability and prosperity," he concluded.

Statement 8 September 2021 pic.twitter.com/5yKXWIdLfM

— Ashraf Ghani (@ashrafghani) September 8, 2021

Currently living in the UAE, the former president insisted his commitment to the Afghan people had never wavered and would guide him for the rest of his life.