Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Wednesday warned a joint session of Congress that Islamic State terrorism “will come knocking at our door” unless his country can restore its economic independence and reject religious extremism.
The American-educated Ghani used the address to Congress as an opportunity to start rebuilding the country’s strained relationship with the United States and to pledge that Afghanistan is making strides toward establishing a democratic and peaceful society that still depends on America’s support, which he called “foundational to our future.”
Ghani also promised to “join the fight” against the spread of Islamic terrorism spreading in the region and denounced neighboring states who are financially supporting the Islamic State terrorists.
“We, the unity government of Afghanistan, know that Islam is a religion of peace,” Ghani said. “We are responding to extremism’s threats by building partnerships at the global, regional, Islamic, and national levels of governance.”
Ghani came to the Capitol a day after President Obama announced plans to leave 9,800 American troops on the ground in Afghanistan, setting aside an earlier plan to cut U.S. forces in the country to 5,500 by the end of this year.
In his speech to Congress, Ghani signified the two countries are entering a new phase of cooperation focused not on war but rather on rebuilding the Islamic Republic that has been riddled with corruption and instability.
Ghani won the presidency in September after a contentious and lengthy election process and shares power with Abdullah Abdullah, who finished second in the election.
Ghani noted the positive changes that the United States has helped to make possible, including a life expectancy that has risen from age 44 to age 60 for the average Afghan citizen, lower maternal mortality and the education of girls who were previously banned from attending school when Afghanistan was under control of the Taliban.
The United States invaded Afghanistan in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The war cost more than 2,000 American lives. Ghani is only the nation’s second president since U.S. troops eliminated the Taliban government. He succeeded Hamid Karzai, whose troubled tenure was marked by corruption and reported ties to the Taliban.
Ghani, who was working in the World Bank on Sept. 11, touted his support of American democratic ideals, including installation of women in his government.
But he said the country needs to show it can help end the conflict in the region and stop the financing of extremist groups.
“We must secure peace,” Ghani said, adding that the United States military presence will play a key role. “I have no doubt that, provided that they continue to receive equipment and training, our armed forces will stand firm against any efforts by outside extremists to build a base inside our territory.”
Ghani delivered the nearly hour-long address to a skeptical Congress that includes many lawmakers who pushed to end the war in Afghanistan and bring home all the troops.
“We have a vested interest in the ability of Afghans to secure and stabilize their country after the investments of the American people and the extraordinary sacrifices of our service members,” Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said. “President Ghani and Chief Executive Officer Abdullah Abdullah now have an opportunity to deliver on promises of accountable and transparent governance while also mobilizing a reliable, effective security force in a region where terrorism remains a major threat.”
