'We never should have left': Canada needs diplomatic presence in Afghanistan, ex-ambassador says
CTV
A former Canadian ambassador to Afghanistan believes it's time for diplomats to return to Kabul and deal with the Taliban.
A former Canadian ambassador to Afghanistan believes it's time for diplomats to return to Kabul and deal with the Taliban.
"We never should have left," Arif Lalani told CTV News. "Even if we don't get much, certainly we're better off being on the ground, seeing for ourselves and trying to moderate these extreme tendencies, than simply being on the sidelines outside of the country."
Tuesday marks the second anniversary of the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, which followed two decades of war against a U.S.-led coalition that also included Canadian forces. Like many other countries, Canada evacuated its embassy in Aug. 2021 as Taliban fighters closed in on the capital city, Kabul. The embassy has not reopened.
"Canada has no plans to recognize the Taliban as the Government of Afghanistan," a government website explains. "The Taliban remains a listed terrorist entity under Canadian law."
Lalani served as Canada's ambassador to Afghanistan from 2007 to 2008, and was also previously Canada's top diplomat in Jordan, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates. He currently holds fellowships from several institutions, including the University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.
"I think withdrawing your forces and then negotiating is not a good strategy," Lalani said. "If we left because of our own security, we should demand that our security is protected and we should be back on the ground."
Over the past two years, the Taliban has solidified its hold over Afghanistan, leading to a dramatic erosion of the rights of women and girls, who now face bans related to education, work and even their ability to visit public places like parks.
