Angela Merkel, who served as Germany’s Chancellor for 16 years, recently testified before a Bundestag inquiry into the failed Afghanistan mission. Her statements, particularly her claim of never attending critical intelligence briefings, sparked debate as the committee examines the chaotic evacuation efforts in August 2021. Merkel discussed the government’s hesitance to evacuate Afghan allies due to fears of abandonment and migration policy concerns, revealing the complexities and challenges faced during Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan.
Angela Merkel’s Testimony in the Afghanistan Inquiry
Angela Merkel served as Germany’s Chancellor for an impressive 16 years, overseeing the country’s involvement in Afghanistan during that time. Recently, she appeared as the final witness before the Bundestag’s inquiry committee regarding the Afghanistan mission, a mission that ended in failure. During her testimony, she notably refrained from acknowledging any personal shortcomings.
Since July 2022, the committee has focused on the chaotic events of August 2021, when the Bundeswehr was tasked with evacuating thousands of German and local Afghan allies from Kabul’s airport. The haunting images of desperate individuals clinging to departing U.S. planes captured the world’s attention, symbolizing the West’s failure in the region.
Key Insights from Merkel’s Testimony
Leading up to her appearance, the inquiry committee had heard from a plethora of witnesses, including current Chancellor Olaf Scholz, former ministers, military leaders, and intelligence officials. Despite the extensive testimonies already given, Merkel’s statements during the inquiry brought new perspectives.
While her initial half-hour statement provided context on the timeline of events following the Doha Agreement on February 29, 2020, it was during the question-and-answer segment that she made intriguing remarks. She claimed to have “never” participated in the “ND situation” briefings from the intelligence agencies, relying instead on her ministers and staff for updates. This assertion raised eyebrows, considering the BND’s critical role in assessing the rapidly deteriorating situation in Afghanistan.
Upon returning from vacation on August 14, just before the Taliban’s takeover, Merkel discussed the situation with key ministers. Interestingly, the BND’s assessment indicated that the fall of Kabul would take time, a view that proved dramatically inaccurate when President Ashraf Ghani fled the following day.
Throughout her testimony, Merkel spoke of a dilemma faced by her government: the decision not to facilitate a large-scale evacuation of Afghan allies. She expressed concern that such an action might convey an abandonment of Afghanistan. When asked about potential migration policy reasons behind this stance, she acknowledged that it was influenced by the experiences of 2015 to 2021, when Germany faced a significant influx of asylum seekers.
At the time of the Taliban’s ascent, the German government estimated over 10,000 Afghans eligible for evacuation, many of whom lacked visas. Compounding the issue, the German embassy in Kabul had been severely compromised, complicating the visa application process for those in need of escape.
In the aftermath of the Taliban’s takeover, Merkel confirmed what many had speculated regarding the delayed evacuations. Various ministers, including Horst Seehofer, expressed security concerns that hindered a swift visa process. Additionally, differing assessments of the situation within the government contributed to the overall hesitance to act decisively.
As the inquiry continues, Merkel’s testimony underscores the complexities and challenges faced during Germany’s involvement in Afghanistan, leaving many questions unanswered about the decisions made during those critical moments.