Afghanistan’s 23 year-long journey of suffering and conflict that ended with the demise of the Taliban outfit in late 2001 started with the violent coup d’etat of April 1978 - engineered by then pro-Soviet Afghan communist military and party members. This event unleashed war and immeasurable destruction, and eventually led to forced military occupation, followed by internal strife, and later, the de facto takeover by international terrorist groups.

From the onset, Afghans all across the country began to resist the communist regime and its brutal methods of repression. By the mid 1980s many countries in the region, in the Islamic world and around the globe took the side of the Afghan people and provided vital support for the cause of freedom.

April 28 marks the culmination of numerous sacrifices and a period of history that saw the violent victimization of millions of Afghans, the destruction of the country’s economic foundation and the displacement of more than a third of the country’s population.

Afghans faced many other challenges following Victory Day, including international abandonment. But, since 2001 and the fall of the Taliban, the historic UN-sponsored Bonn Agreement paved the way for the process of renewal in Afghanistan, focusing attention on rebuilding the economy, national institutions, the adoption of a new Constitution and the holding of free elections with the active engagement and assistance of the international community.

The accomplishments thus far are noteworthy. But, more needs to be accomplished to fulfill the objectives for durable peace and stability, an enabling environment for regional prosperity, and many more challenges, including the fight against narcotics, the acceleration of the reconstruction programs and holding parliamentary elections among others.