What has happened in Afghanistan in the last five decades?
All governments and political systems in Afghanistan failed in the past five decades due to politics of negation, exclusion, selfish agenda, not tolerating each other, outsider interferences and taking power by force. The prolonged miseries of Afghanistan and the vicious cycle of five decades have caused promotion of extremism, violence and terrorism. All Afghans have suffered and most have lost their loved one. Millions of Afghans were forced to leave their country and got displaced. In addition to the long-lasting sufferings and destructions, Afghanistan has faced tremendous loss of human capital, a void that’s hard to fill, over the years. The political, economic, social and culture instability has resulted in where only the gun culture rules the country. One armed group controlled the country, while other armed groups want to depose it. The majority of Afghans - the silent majority - are tired and have distained from all armed groups and oppose continuation of war.
Unfortunately, the average Afghans remains empty-handed against ideologically-armed tyrant groups. The current realities have deprived Afghans from their basic human rights such as education, political participation, freedom of expression and working to have enough food on their tables. As a result of the above tragedies, Afghanistan has remained an isolated country from the rest of the world. Taliban government has lacked national and international legitimacy. Afghanistan is the only country in the world that doesn’t have any constitution and laws. Islamic laws are interpreted by each armed group and their rank and files subjectively as they see it fit for their personal agenda. There is no transparent system of governance, economic and judicial justice.
Who we are?
The Pro-Republic Democratic Movement of Afghanistan (PDMA) is an unarmed opposition movement that believe on democracy and political participation in Afghanistan. This movement is comprised of educated and independent Afghans, civil society and political groups who have distanced themselves from armed conflict and believe on democratic participation. This movement is an initiative of concerned Afghans, who strongly believe that remaining indifferent in this critical juncture of Afghanistan history is not an option and that Afghans are suffering inside and outside of the country.
What the Pro-Republic movement believe and want in Afghanistan?
Based on a national constitution, the PDMA want an elected and representative republic system in Afghanistan. The power of the people should be represented by the will of the people through an election. National flag and other national values should be respected and the country should be prevented from regional and international interference in Afghanistan.
This Pro-Republic Democratic Movement of Afghanistan without compromising on national sovereignty, unity and interest of Afghans will engage and pave the way for good and friendly relations with all peaceful nations and organizations of the world for economic development of Afghanistan. This movement will provide platform for the silent majority, inside and outside of the country, to work towards democratic values, education, modernization and human rights. For this purpose, this movement will conduct an outreach to all groups, organizations, political parties and individuals who believe on strengthening democratic participation and dialogue in Afghanistan. The movement will work to find pragmatic solution to the current problems.
How we will achieve our goals?
Firstly, the members of Pro-Republic movement would like to contact all individuals, organizations, political parties and groups inside and outside Afghanistan to support these goals in order this movement becomes a strong political voice for majority Afghans.
Secondly, this movement believes and calls on all Afghan groups/political parties and influential individuals to strengthen dialogue for face-to-face meetings and discuss political course of action. Without an agreed political course of action, it is not possible to have peace and stability in Afghanistan. Otherwise, Afghanistan will become another battle ground for proxy wars which might be more ruthless than the previous wars. The members of this movement strongly believe that God forbid, if there is new big scale cycle of violence, Afghans as always will further suffer, but it will destabilize the region and Afghanistan will become threat for the rest of the world.
In conclusion, the pro-republic movement believes that only an elected government based on constitution could save the country and preserve national values and interests of all Afghans. In such case, Afghanistan won’t be a threat to the regional countries and international community.
For this purpose, this movement will contact further individuals, groups, organizations and raise their voices on international forums through political dialogues, seminars, conferences, meetings and present practical ideas for a political roadmap for the future of Afghanistan.
Our Goals
Goals of the Pro-Republic Movement
The Pro-Republic Democratic Movement of Afghanistan (PDMA) is an intellectual movement in the light of republic values that believes in democracy and the republic, We are against the politics of negation & the monopoly of power.
Short-term goals
In order to avoid proxy competition and war in Afghanistan, PDMA emphasizes the need for an inclusive intra-Afghan dialogue amongst all stakeholders including Taliban. This Movement believes only meaningful intra-Afghan dialogue can ensure that all Afghan voices are heard, and to seek peaceful solutions to issues rather than resorting to conflict. Through meaningful dialogue it is possible to find practical solutions and mechanisms for the future of Afghanistan.
Mid-term goals
PDMA advocates for the establishment of a lawful, democratic, and legitimate system for governance in Afghanistan within framework of constitution that is approved by the people through a Loya Jirga. It will ensure that all Afghan citizens have individual, civil, religious, and political rights protected under a lawful and legitimate constitutional system.
Long-term goals
PDMA will work with the youth of Afghanistan to take active part in all social, political, academic, religious and cultural activities now and in the future. From past lessons of history and experience, PDMA believes that in the absence of credible national political movements, the role of armed militant groups increased. If there is no active moderate, credible national movement, the silent majority cannot play positive role in the future of Afghanistan. Therefore, it is imperative that the silent majority should play active role to decide about their future destiny.
The principle goals of the Pro-Republic Movement of Afghanistan
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PDMA believe that war is not a solution to Afghanistan’s problems. Afghans have always been hurt by wars. Afghans should learn from the past five decades of wars that Afghans should not kill each other for the goals and objectives of others. Academic researchers have documented that you cannot prevent violence with violence and the damage of war is always much higher than the peaceful resolution to conflicts. Therefore, PDMA is against war and military struggle in Afghanistan
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PDMA believes in protection of national sovereignty, integrity, interests and values of Afghanistan such as the name of country, identity of Afghan citizenship and national flag, which are defined in the last constitution of Afghanistan. They are red lines for maintaining national unity
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Each country has a constitution. In the framework of constitution, national interests and a system of governance can be defined. It is imperative that the constitution should be adopted by a Loya Jirga or referendum. Therefore, PDMA supports a legitimate elected government in Afghanistan within framework of an adopted constitution
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In regards to the system of governance in Afghanistan, the PDMA stance is that there are different models of governments in the world. Each system has pro and cons and there is no one perfect system. Every country has adopted these systems with some modification, a centralized or decentralized model of governance system in their constitution based on the ground reality and conditions to provide social, economic, legal and security services to the people. Copy and paste model of governance system doesn’t work in Afghanistan. The main purpose of all system should be to provide services and people should make decisions on local level. It is possible to find ways to achieve above goals and objectives in all system. If the purpose of centralized or decentralized systems is monopoly of power, negate others in decision making or get more privileges, PDMA is against promulgation of extreme views in any system of governance. This discussion can only happen when a constitution can be adopted. You cannot solve this issue with slogans right now because it further divides Afghans. No system can be accepted unless adopted in the constitution. In Islam, it is the right of people to decide about the way of a governance system and chose their leader
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In the framework of constitution, each Afghan (men and women) should have the right to education, life and participate in politics, and work in government and non-government sectors
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In the framework of constitution, freedom of speech is important factor in a society. If there is no freedom of speech, it means, people cannot breathe. If there is no freedom, meaning dictatorship or authoritarianism will be imposed on the people. Therefore, PDMA is supporting freedom of speech
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The politics of monopoly and negation are the main causes of conflicts, changing regimes and collapses of government systems in Afghanistan in the past. Therefore, PDMA is against politics of monopoly of power and negation of other political parties including the Taliban
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When the people of a country believes in democratic values, then people with different views have rights to participate in politics and work in the government based on a constitution order. Even if Taliban win election, PDMA will accept their rule and within the framework of constitution PDMA can play opposition rule. It is up to all political parties and movement to work in society to promote their ideas to get support of people. Therefore, PDMA is against politics of monopoly of power and negation of others in politics
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PDMA wants to have good relation with all countries and people based on mutual interests. If there is a legitimate, sovereign and elected government in Afghanistan, it won’t be a threat to its people, neighbors and international community. If there is no legitimate, sovereign and elected government in Afghanistan, it will be a threat to its people, neighbors and international community because extremism will spread in the region. Afghanistan is the victim of extremism and foreign interventions. It is up to the legitimate, sovereign and elected government of Afghanistan to decide about its strategic friends and enemies based on their national interests. There is no permanent friends and enemies in politics because mutual relationships are always defined by mutual interests.
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PDMA can talk and work with all political parties, organizations, movements and individuals. It is natural that [political] debates are not held with likeminded friends only, but dialogues are held with people who are opposed to your views. Dialogue doesn’t mean to surrender or accept other side’s extreme views, but it means to find middle ground of working for practical solutions for all problems. Therefore, PDMA believes in a meaningful intra-Afghan dialogue.
What We Do?
In accordance with the provisions of constitution facilitating the election of a democratic democratic government in Afghanistan
Efforts for meaningful and effective intra-Afghan dialogue
Organizing conferences, seminars, and scientific discussions for outreach and support purposes for democratic values
Latest News, Activities, and Press Releases
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Latest News
You can find the latest news, interviews, analysis and of the Pro-Republic Movement on Afghanistan’s Politics, Economic, Social, cultural and other issues.
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Activities
You can find the latest information and updates about Pro-Republic Movement and its members’ activities, developments, interviews, and discussions.
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Press Releases
You can find the press releases of the Pro-Republic Democratic Movement of Afghanistan (PDMA) on Afghanistan’s latest developments in politics, economics, social, cultural and other issues.
Join our Movement
Do you believe in democracy and want a democratic government in Afghanistan?
Then; Join the Pro-Republic Democratic Movement of Afghanistan (PDMA) and share your efforts with us in building a prosperous and a democratic Afghanistan.