Haibatullah Akhundzada, the religious leader of the Taliban who took the reins of the movement in 2016, will be appointed supreme leader of the new Islamic emirate of Afghanistan. This was reported by the US newspaper “The New York Times”, citing sources in Kabul and Kandahar. In recent days, Akhundzada met with the Taliban leadership in Kandahar, the cradle of the movement, and was referred to as “za’eem” and “rahbar” (Urdu for “leader”) in several official speeches made by spokesman Zabihullah Mujaid.
The Taliban have not yet set a date for the announcement of a new government, but they could already reveal the names of some ministers and the supreme leader in the coming days. In an interview with the “BBC” the deputy head of the political office of the Taliban in Qatar, Sher Abbas Stanekzai, assured that the members “will be chosen on the basis of their merits and abilities” and that women will also have a role, but “probably” not as ministers. According to Stanekzai, all those who have served the Afghan government for the past 20 years will be excluded.
Afghanistan, the Taliban without a government lose the first pieces: a mullah joins ISIS
by Antonio Giustozzi
According to rumors, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban and chief negotiator for the group in peace talks with the United States in Qatar could be appointed head of the new government. Other key positions in the government will go to Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob and Sirajuddin Haqqani, both figures close to Akhundzada. Other Taliban leaders who are expected to receive government posts include Sadar Ibrahim, who effectively served as interior minister after the Taliban took power on August 15.
On 29 August, the spokesman for the Taliban Mujahid confirmed that Akhundzada, who in recent years has never appeared in public, is in Afghanistan, precisely in the city of Kandahar. Akhundzada has led the Taliban as their leader since 2016 and has kept a low media profile, only sending public messages on Islamic holidays and has never appeared in public.
Since their emergence in the early 1990s, the Taliban have always maintained their supreme leadership under an aura of secrecy. The enigmatic founder of the group, Mullah Mohammad Omar, was known for his hermit manner and during the first Taliban regime which lasted from 1996 to 2002 he was seen very few times in Kabul, effectively ruling the movement from the stronghold of Kandahar.
Opium, but not only. Where does the Taliban money come from?
at Sebastian Governor
The minerals of Afghanistan, the treasure that is coveted by China
by Armelle Bohineust
.