Hundreds of protesters marched through the streets of Kabul on Tuesday morning calling for the release of the assets of Afghanistan’s central bank which have been frozen abroad. 

Afghanistan faces severe economic and financial problems, and the hold on its assets--and sanctions on the Islamic Emirate--have contributed to the problems.

The protesters were chanting “unfreeze our money” and they called on the international community to support Afghanistan at this critical time.

Holding banners reading, “let us eat” and “give us our money,” the protesters said that poverty and hunger have reached a high level and that the freeze on the money will help them with economic challenges.

“Such economic pressures on Afghanistan are against international principles. Our people are struggling with economic problems here,” a protester said.

“Afghanistan’s frozen money should be freed soon. The international community says that it is altruism, but this is not how to promote others’ welfare,” another protester said.

The protesters said the money belongs to the people of Afghanistan and the US should release it.

“This money belongs to the people and should be freed,” a protester said.

“The freeze of this money has created numerous economic challenges. It should be released,” another protester said.

Over $9 billion in Afghan assets was frozen in foreign banks, mainly in the US, following the collapse of the Afghan former government.