While in Kabul the de facto Taliban government was celebrating the fifth anniversary of its return to power with parades and festivities, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Rome chose a radically opposite path. On the occasion of the ‘107th anniversary of the restoration of independence'(1919), the Embassy and Diplomatic Representation in the Italian capital declared August 15 not a holiday, but a “day of national mourning”, flying the Afghan tricolor flag at half-mast for three consecutive days.
A Dual Commemoration, a Deep Fracture
Afghanistan celebrates its Independence Day on August 19th each year, a date that commemorates the signing of the 1919 Treaty of Rawalpindi, through which the country gained complete independence in foreign policy from the control of the United Kingdom. The official press release issued by the diplomatic mission draws a sharp line between the historical memory of national independence—originally established by King Amanullah Khan on August 19, 1919—and the contemporary tragedy that began with the collapse of the Republic in 2021. The statement highlights the stark contrast between the celebrations organized by the Taliban regime for their five years of controlling the country and the reality experienced by the vast majority of the population. For the diplomatic representation in Rome, August 15 represents the anniversary of “Afghanistan’s imprisonment at the hands of an occupying and despotic group,” marked by the systematic deprivation of fundamental freedoms and civil rights, with a devastating impact especially on women and minorities.
The Symbolic Value of Resistance and Identity
In the document, the Embassy acknowledges the complexity and dramatic nature of the current moment, described by many as a period of profound crisis, poverty, and isolation. Nevertheless, it is strongly reiterated that precisely in these circumstances, the commemoration of independence takes on a crucial symbolic value. The tricolor flag and shared historical, cultural, and religious values continue to represent the unifying element and the identity shield for millions of Afghan citizens, both inside the country and in the diaspora. Civil resistance, patriotism, and the refusal to submit to obscurantism are pointed out as the defining traits of a people that refuses to renounce its right to self-determination.
The Appeal to the International Community
Looking to the future, the diplomatic note issues a strong call for collective responsibility. On one hand, it emphasizes the need for former republican leaderships to critically evaluate the mistakes that favored institutional collapse; on the other hand, it makes a pressing appeal to the international community. The formal request is to decisively support the initiatives of civil society, the diaspora, and Afghan political and social networks—including traditional and religious leaders and rights movements—so that appropriate pressure can be exerted on the regime in Kabul. The ultimate goal remains to foster paths of dialogue and transition toward the birth of an “inclusive, constitutional, and fully accountable government”, capable of restoring a voice and legitimate dignity to all Afghan citizens. The official celebrations for the 107th anniversary organized by the Embassy in Rome will be held during the first half of September, confirming themselves as a space for meeting, reflection, and solidarity for the Afghan community in Italy.
