According to a Taliban official, in few days’ time, Taliban will reveal consensual Afghan government within Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan that depict an all-inclusive political framework. The Taliban and other Afghan leaders have reached a “consensus” on the formation of a new government and cabinet under the leadership of the group’s top spiritual leader, an official said.
Taliban name consensual Afghan government officials
Taliban supreme commander Haibatullah Akhundzada will be the top leader of any governing council, Bilal Karimi, a member of the group’s cultural commission said Wednesday. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, one of Akhundzada’s three deputies and the main public face of the Taliban, is likely to be in charge of the daily functioning of the government, Karimi added.
“The consultations on forming an inclusive Afghan government within the Islamic Emirate’s leaders, with the leaders from previous government and other influential leaders have officially ended,” Karimi said. “They have reached a consensus. We’re about to announce a functioning cabinet and government in a few days, not weeks.”
Read more: Baradar to carry talks for an inclusive government at Kabul
Taliban wait for US withdrawal to unravel consensual Afghan government
The Taliban had been waiting for the full withdrawal of U.S. troops before making any announcements about the consensual Afghan government, said a senior official who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Both Akhundzada and Baradar will soon make a public appearance in Kabul, the official added.
The U.S. officially ended its longest war around midnight Monday Afghan time, a mission that began soon after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
Read more: Munir Akram: Pakistan will recognise an ‘inclusive’ Afghan govt after regional consultations
Taliban celebrate Afghan independence with mounting challenges
The mood among the Taliban had been jubilant following the exit of American troops and the Taliban official highlight that this time is right for them to reveal the consensual Afghan government as a future political framework to run the country.
However, considerable challenges lie ahead as they now look to establish a functioning government. The new leaders will have to face an economic crisis after the U.S. cut off aid, control spiraling inflation, food insecurity, banks closure and also avoid a civil war with ethnic-based militias particularly in Panjshir valley and a local off-shoot of the Islamic State terror group.
My attempt to analyse in a small way what lies ahead for Afghanistan’s new rulers, who face tough economic, security challenges (from @AP) by @Kathygannon https://t.co/SO9HpUZtmf
— Kathy Gannon (@Kathygannon) September 1, 2021
Akhundzada is currently in the southern city of Kandahar, the group’s stronghold, where he led a three-day conference of top Taliban and other Afghan leaders, Zabihullah Mujahed, the group’s main spokesman had said Tuesday.
Read more: Challenges Taliban cannot escape in governing Afghanistan