A damning US government report has accused former Afghan President Ashraf Ghani of systemic corruption and misuse of American taxpayer funds during his tenure, culminating in his abrupt departure as Taliban forces captured Kabul in August 2021.
Millions in Aid Allegedly Misused
The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) revealed that Ghani's administration failed to properly account for $17 million in US-funded fuel purchases and $1.8 million intended for COVID-19 response. The report paints a picture of widespread financial mismanagement that undermined Afghanistan's Western-backed government.
Chaotic Final Days
According to the investigation, Ghani authorised the withdrawal of $169 million from central bank reserves just days before fleeing the country. Witnesses described scenes of panic as the president and his inner circle loaded cash onto helicopters while Taliban fighters entered the capital.
Questions Over NATO Strategy
The revelations have reignited debate about the effectiveness of America's two-decade nation-building effort in Afghanistan. 'This report confirms our worst fears about where billions in aid actually went,' said Senator Richard Blumenthal, a member of the Armed Services Committee.
The White House has yet to comment on whether it will pursue legal action against Ghani, who currently resides in the United Arab Emirates. Meanwhile, Afghanistan continues to face severe economic hardship under Taliban rule, with international aid largely frozen.
