Afghanistan: the Taliban celebrated their first anniversary in power

Taliban fighters celebrate their victory in Ahmad Shah Massoud Square in Kabul on August 15, 2022. AFP - WAKIL KOHSAR

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The Taliban celebrated this Monday, August 15, the first anniversary of their return to power in Kabul.

It was a year ago, to the day, at the end of a lightning offensive carried out on all the Afghan territory against the government forces of the time, then in disarray.

This day was held overall rather in restraint.

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With our special correspondent in Kabul,

Clea Broadhusrt

The atmosphere was quite calm.

Hundreds and hundreds of people gathered in certain places.

There were two explosions, one on the airport road, the other in the west of the capital.

The celebrations were still held in restraint.

But for the Taliban, it is an independence day, the day the colonizers were driven out of the country.

After 40 years of war, they tell us, they are finally at peace.

It's something they've been waiting for a long time, especially after smelling gunpowder all this time, they point out.

[đź”´ Special Edition] #Afghanistan One year after the #Taliban took power



➡️ The country is going through many crises



🎧 With our special correspondent in #Kabul @BroadhurstClea



👉 https://t.co/RrNcRmzdY5 #RFIMatin pic.twitter. com/0qQSsoif1i

– RFI (@RFI) August 15, 2022

Now they want international recognition because they believe they are governing with respect for human rights and the country has never been so safe.

But for a completely different part of the population, it was more time for mourning, as a women's rights activist told us.

For her, this day is the symbol of the loss of freedom.

Deprived of work, deprived of schools, women in Afghanistan are paying a heavy price for this change of government.

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 To read also Afghanistan: women with a broken destiny envisage the worst

Moreover, the economy collapsed, in particular because it was 70% dependent on international aid, which was still blocked.

Many are calling for the lifting of international sanctions so that the money can help an extremely vulnerable population.

Remember that half of the population lives on 1.90 euros a day here in Afghanistan.

â–şRead also: In Afghanistan, the objectives of Russian strategy in its dialogue with Kabul

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