A former aid to ex-president Ashraf Ghani said that Ghani fled the country to save his life and rescue himself from being hanged.

The former national security adviser, Hamdullah Mohib, made the remarks in an interview with Radio Liberty. According to Mohib, the fall of the republic started after the US and the Islamic Emirate signed an agreement on February 29, 2020.

He said that Ghani’s fleeing was unexpected and that a delegation was set to visit Doha on the same day to reach an agreement with the Taliban over a transition of power.

We were preparing to travel to Doha to negotiate with the Taliban about convening a Loya Jirga (National Assembly) and about a transition of power, Mohib said.

Mohib said that he was living in the US but the president was still in the UAE. He suggested that Ghani will give his account at some point.

On August 15 Kabul fell to the forces of the Islamic Emirate.