With Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani having fled the country, and even as the Taliban occupy Kabul’s presidential palace, First Vice President of Afghanistan
Amrullah Saleh has staked his claim as the “caretaker president” of Afghanistan.
“Clarity: As per d constitution of Afg, in absence, escape, resignation or death of the President the FVP becomes the caretaker President. I am currently inside my country & am the legitimate care taker President. Am reaching out to all leaders to secure their support & consensus,” Saleh tweeted.
In the wake of Ghani’s surprise exodus from the country, Ghani had taken a defiant note saying he would “never bow” to the Taliban. After news broke that Ghani had left on Sunday, Saleh tweeted saying,”I will never, ever & under no circumstances bow to d Talib terrorists. I will never betray d soul & legacy of my hero Ahmad Shah Masoud, the commander, the legend & the guide. I won't dis-appoint millions who listened to me. I will never be under one ceiling with Taliban. NEVER.”
A day later, AFP reported that pictures surfaced on social media of Saleh with the son of his former mentor and famed anti-Taliban fighter Ahmed Shah Massoud in Panjshir—a mountainous redoubt tucked into the Hindu Kush.
The Taliban had declared a “general amnesty” for Afghan government officials on Tuesday and urged them to return to work. “A general amnesty has been declared for all...so you should start your routine life with full confidence,” the Taliban said in a statement.
Taliban co-founder Abdul Ghani Baradar has been speculated to be the likely leader of the country following the transition of power.
