Ghani apologises to Afghans, denies cash theft

KABUL (Pajhwok): Ex-president Ashraf Ghani has apologised to the Afghans for fleeing the country after the Taliban stormed into Kabul last in mid-August.

Leaving the country was the only way to keep the guns silent and save Kabul and its six million people, Ghani said in a statement on his Twitter account.

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.

Widely under fire for fleeing the country at a trying time, he vehemently denied allegations that he left Kabul with millions of dollars in cash.

“These charges are completely false. Corruption is a plague that has crippled our country for decades and fighting corruption has been a central focus of my efforts as president. I inherited a monster that could not easily or quickly be defeated.”.

Ghani added: “I welcome an official audit or financial investigation under UN auspices or any other appropriate independent body to prove the veracity of my statements…”

His close aides were ready to submit their finances to the public audit and he would encourage other former senior officials and political figures to do the same, Ghani said.

“I offer my profound appreciation and respect for the sacrifice of all Afghans, especially our Afghan soldiers and their families…” he continued.

Ghani wrote: “I owe the Afghan people an explanation for leaving Kabul abruptly on August 15 after Taliban unexpectedly entered 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.”

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