We at the Next Century Foundation would like to take a moment to extend our heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the Hazaras of Dasht-e-Barchi, and to all the people of Afghanistan. While any attack on civilians is inherently abhorrent, the calculated nature of this atrocity – which sought to maximise casualties among schoolgirls – rules it almost unspeakably heinous. Nothing, not even 42 years of war and thousands of singular tragedies, can inoculate you against the horrific events witnessed by hundreds in Kabul on Saturday 8 May. We reiterate that our hopelessly insufficient thoughts and prayers are with all Afghans on this gravest of days.

The relative silence of Western media outlets, both with respect to Saturday’s events and the domestic situation in Afghanistan more generally, is a stain on their names and on the societies they purport to inform. The importance of a successful peace settlement – one which precipitates a conflict-free and stable Afghan state – has never been more apparent. We will continue to support the peace process in whatever way we can, and encourage political figures in Afghanistan to move heaven and earth to ensure the societal conditions which made this attack possible are reversed once and for all.

Image by David Mark from Pixabay