ASK Afghanistan, Explained Better

Mohammad Rahim Afghani is the last Afghan detainee held at the US military prison in Guantanamo Bay. His case has returned to international attention after reports that Afghanistan’s current authorities proposed a prisoner exchange involving two US citizens. However, the United States has firmly rejected including Rahim Afghani in any deal, raising questions about his background, legal status, and political significance.

Mohammad Rahim Afghani and the Guantanamo Detainee Case

Mohammad Rahim Afghani has been held at Guantanamo Bay since 2008. According to multiple reports, he is considered the final Afghan national still detained by the United States at the facility. Over the years, most Afghan detainees were either released or transferred, leaving Rahim Afghani as a unique and unresolved case.

US authorities have never formally charged him in a civilian court. His continued detention has been justified on intelligence-based assessments, rather than a completed judicial process. This has made his case controversial both legally and politically.

Islamic Emirate’s Demand for a Prisoner Exchange

Recent reporting by international media indicates that the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan requested the release of Mohammad Rahim Afghani in exchange for freeing two American citizens held in Afghanistan. The request was confirmed through public comments made to international journalists.

Officials from the Islamic Emirate stated that they want both American detainees released while also resolving the fate of their remaining prisoner in Guantanamo. From their perspective, the issue is framed as a matter of closure after decades of conflict.

Why the United States Refuses to Release Him

According to senior US officials quoted in international reporting, Mohammad Rahim Afghani will not be part of any future agreement with Afghanistan. Despite repeated requests, Washington has made it clear that his detention is a red line.

The refusal is widely understood to be linked to the seriousness of intelligence allegations associated with his case. US officials reportedly view his release as a potential security risk and a dangerous precedent for future negotiations involving detainees accused of high-level involvement with extremist networks.

Stalled Negotiations Between Kabul and Washington

Sources familiar with the talks told international media that negotiations between Kabul and Washington over prisoner exchanges have reached a deadlock. While informal discussions have taken place, there is no progress on including Rahim Afghani in any deal.

This stalemate highlights the broader lack of trust between the two sides and shows the limits of pragmatic engagement in the absence of formal diplomatic relations.

Political Interpretation Inside Afghanistan

Afghan political analyst Faridullah Zazi has suggested that accepting Kabul’s request could send a message that the consequences of war are ending. He argues that such a move could also signal an attempt by Afghan authorities to transform technical engagement with the United States into a more political relationship.

However, US policymakers appear unwilling to take that step, especially in a case they consider sensitive.

Reports of a Possible Release and Ongoing Uncertainty

In late September 2025, reports briefly circulated suggesting that Mohammad Rahim Afghani might be released. Despite these claims, no official confirmation followed, and the situation remains unresolved.

As of now, he continues to be held in Guantanamo Bay, making his case one of the longest-running and most complex legacies of the post-2001 war period.

Final Assessment

The case of Mohammad Rahim Afghani reflects the unresolved legal and political consequences of decades of conflict between Afghanistan and the United States. While Afghan authorities see his release as a symbolic and political priority, Washington views him as an exception that cannot be negotiated. Until broader trust and legal clarity are established, his situation is likely to remain unchanged.