KABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghanistan National Liberty Party, led by Rahmatullah Nabil, the former chief of the National Directorate of Security, announced on Monday that it would not be joining the recently formed political coalition known as the National Assembly for the Salvation of Afghanistan.
In a statement, the party cited differences in “political paths and approaches on key issues” as the primary reason for its decision to remain independent. The leadership council of the Afghanistan National Liberty Party opted against joining the coalition to preserve its political autonomy and to focus on initiatives aimed at inclusive engagement of all citizens, particularly influential and active groups in Afghan society, the statement added.
The party emphasized that while it recognizes the importance of forming new coalitions aligned with the aspirations of democracy, justice, and equal rights for all citizens, it has chosen to chart its own course.
A new coalition
The announcement comes amid the formation of the National Assembly for the Salvation of Afghanistan, a new political coalition of prominent anti-Taliban figures. The coalition, unveiled in a virtual meeting on December 6, includes key political leaders such as Ahmad Massoud, Atta Mohammad Noor, Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum, Karim Khalili, Salahuddin Rabbani, Mohammad Mohaqiq, Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf, Mohammad Ismail Khan, Yunus Qanooni, Sarwar Danish, Rahila Dostum, and several others.
The coalition’s primary goal, as stated during its launch, is to “rescue Afghanistan from its current crisis and oppose Taliban rule.”
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, numerous political and military opposition groups have emerged, aiming to challenge the group’s governance. The National Assembly for the Salvation of Afghanistan is among the largest and most prominent coalitions to have formed in recent months.
During the coalition’s virtual founding session, members assessed Afghanistan’s dire situation and underscored the need for coordination and unity among political and social forces to find a path out of the ongoing crisis.
