National Resistance Front delegation to visit US Congress without Ahmad Massoud
The National Resistance Front (NRF) of Afghanistan announced on Wednesday, September 4, that its leader, Ahmad Massoud, will not be traveling to Washington, D.C., to meet with U.S. officials in person. Instead, Massoud will attend a virtual meeting with Michael McCaul, the Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, while a delegation from the NRF will represent him in the U.S. capital.
The NRF’s statement did not specify why Ahmad Massoud himself would not be part of the delegation visiting Washington. However, it emphasized that the delegation would engage in discussions on behalf of the resistance movement against the Taliban. This visit follows a growing demand from U.S. lawmakers and civil society for greater engagement with the NRF.
Sean Ryan, a former U.S. soldier, recently led a campaign to cut financial aid to the Taliban and invited Ahmad Massoud to testify before Congress. The petition, which garnered tens of thousands of signatures, was part of broader efforts to highlight the plight of the Afghan people under Taliban rule and to support the resistance movement.
Chairman McCaul had previously expressed eagerness to meet with representatives of the NRF, including Massoud. He stated his commitment to hearing Massoud’s views on freeing Afghanistan from Taliban control. McCaul reaffirmed his opposition to the Taliban and his dedication to supporting the will of the Afghan people.
The NRF hopes that this dialogue will mark the beginning of a new, meaningful engagement between the U.S. Congress and what it describes as "the legitimate representatives of the Afghan people." McCaul has confirmed that he and his team have maintained contact with Ahmad Massoud for several years.
The Taliban, meanwhile, remain opposed to any interactions between Afghan opposition groups and the international community, viewing such meetings as a challenge to their authority. Despite this, the NRF continues to push for international recognition and support in its efforts to resist Taliban rule.
