Voices in exil

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Formerly a leading voice in Afghan sport, Amanullah Qaisari saw his career come to an abrupt halt with the fall of Kabul. Now in exile in France, he is patiently rebuilding his career, using social media and new formats. Thanks to CFI’s Voices in Exile programme, he has found much more than just tools: a role, legitimacy, and the chance to continue telling stories.

Talking about sport is second nature to him. A breath of fresh air. “Journalism is my life,” says Amanullah Qaisari bluntly, as if stating a truth that no longer needs proving. In Kabul, his voice was familiar, instantly recognisable. For fifteen years, he was the face of sport on Afghan television, eventually becoming one of the country’s most popular commentators. A career path patiently forged, defying all expectations. Because, at the outset, none of this was guaranteed. Born into an Afghan family in exile in Iran, Amanullah grew up on the fringes of society. First in Iran, where he was limited by his status as an immigrant. Then in his own country, to which he returned in 2007, only to be forced back into exile. Football became a refuge for him from a very early age, almost a promise. He still remembers the 1998 World Cup, the names that ring out like childhood heroes. As an amateur player, he quickly realised that he would play his role elsewhere. Reporting rather than playing. Presenting rather than seeking the limelight. “Journalism has been a way for me to showcase my skills,” he says. The early days were tough. Doors shut, repeated rejections. Then, in 2011, he got his first football programme. That was the turning point. Two years later, he joined one of the country’s most influential channels. His voice found its place, as did his style: direct, committed, close to the audience. Amanullah doesn’t just commentate on matches; he explains what they reveal about a country, a society and a collective hope. In Kabul, people recognise him on the street. He travels and covers international events. Success was in his grasp… but in August 2021, everything changed.

He lost his job but held on to his vocation

The fall of Kabul marked a sharp, abrupt turning point. A journalist became a potential target. His prospects were dwindling. He would have to wait until 2022, with the support of international organisations, before he could leave his country. In the meantime, there was a lot of waiting and uncertainty. “When I left, I lost everything: my standing, my audience,” he grumbled, without dwelling on it. That sentence is simple, but it conveys the sheer scale of the void. In France, he had to start again. From scratch. A difficult year, marked by doubt and almost fading into obscurity. Then, gradually, the momentum returned. Amanullah switched his camera back on, alone at first. On social media, he found a platform from which to share his work. An audience, too. Carrying on become a necessity. “I had to follow my dreams,” he says quietly. 

Voices in Exile: rebuilding more than just skills

It was during this phase of rebuilding that he heard about the Voices in Exile programme, run by CFI in partnership with a consortium comprising SINGA, RSF and the Maison des Journalistes, thanks to funding from the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. What are the aims of Voices in Exile? To offer multi-faceted support to journalists in exile in France who wish to continue their professional work; to support these journalists in their career paths and help bring their projects to fruition; and to help foster links with existing initiatives supporting journalists and media in exile across Europe.

A strong application, two intense interviews. His application was selected from among dozens of others. A new chapter began. For Amanullah, the impact was immediate and tangible. Technical resources, first and foremost: equipment, training and a working environment. But above all, a boost to his skills. “Before, I mainly did presentation work; I had very little technical expertise. Now, I know how to edit, produce and put together a programme. ”, he explains. He recounts that almost insignificant moment when, after a complex editing session, he found himself smiling to himself: “I’ve done it”, he recalls exclaiming. A quiet victory, but a defining one.

Beyond the tools, an ecosystem was being rebuilt. A network of journalists in exile, exchanges, tangible solidarity. “We share a great deal. There’s a sense of mutual support,” he observes. In a career marked by upheaval, this sense of human continuity matters just as much as the rest. Professionally speaking, his recovery is clear. Amanullah has resumed reporting, covering competitions and expanding his online presence. His audience is growing considerably. He has regained his legitimacy and role. “For me, as a refugee journalist, this is a tremendous opportunity.,” he asserts. The word is not wasted: it speaks to the rare possibility of once again becoming the protagonist of his own story.

To tell stories, to resist

But his project now goes beyond his own personal career. Amanullah wants to create a reliable sports news platform, focused in particular on refugee athletes and Afghan women in sport. It has a clear editorial line. “They must be visible. Each one embodies her own story; they are role models.”, he declares. In a context in which they are systematically erased, telling their stories becomes an almost political act. For him, sport has never been mere entertainment. It is a catalyst. A space for collective respite. In his view, “It can bring joy and peace.” A conviction forged on the playing fields, in the stadiums, and now, in exile. From Kabul to France, the thread has never been completely severed. It has become taut, fragile, transformed. Thanks to Voices in Exile, it has also grown stronger. Amanullah Qaisari has not merely resumed his profession: he has reinvented it. And in this rebuilding process, there is more than just a personal career; there is proof that even far from home, a voice can continue to be heard.

October 2025: First anniversary of Voices in Exile

The event Voices in Exile, one year on’, held at the offices of Reporters Without Borders (RSF), brought together the ‘VEE’ community to discuss their experiences, share the programme’s initial results and look ahead to the future. And, of course, to spare a thought for the journalists still under threat around the world.