"But there's still a big question mark over them because they could be putting it on in order to wash out the previous image that the people had of them.
"It would be a political advantage for them to find a place in the hearts and the minds of the Afghan people — for people to be receptive of them temporarily.
"Whether that's a temporary thing, or whether they actually mean it, only time will tell."
He said the Taliban had a history of committing major atrocities, like massacring people, and raping and murdering women and children.
"They're extremists and they're only there for one agenda.
"They've taken an extreme approach to our religion and they want to force it on the people living over there.
"I fear for everyone back home."
He said he fled the country when he was 5, and all he had ever known about his country was war.
He was devastated the Afghan government fled the capital, as the United States evacuated diplomats from its embassy by helicopter.
"I think they've used us as a pawn for their own games.
"They've pretty much left us with destruction, knowing very well that the moment they withdrew their troops, the Taliban would be just around the corner to come in and take over."
- Otago Daily Times
