New Delhi: The wait for a new government in Afghanistan came to an end on Tuesday when the Taliban announced a caretaker cabinet to rule the country.
The announcement of the new government comes seven days after the last US troops left Afghanistan on August 31.
Mulla Hasani Akhund, an aide of the movement’s late founder Mullah Omar, has been made caretaker prime minister, while Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar will serve as deputy prime minister.
The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, told a news conference in Kabul that Sirajuddin Haqqani, the son of the founder of the Haqqani network, would be the interior minister.
Mullah Omar’s son Mullah Mohammad Yacoub has been made Defense Minister. Mujahid said that all the appointments are in acting capacity.
Afghanistan Crisis Live Updates
Here are key facts from the formation of the new government in Afghanistan:
No non-Taliban in government
There were no non-Taliban names in the official lineup, a great demand from the international community.
Announcing the cabinet, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the appointments are for an interim government. However, he did not elaborate on how long they would work and what would be the catalyst for the change.
So far the Taliban have shown no indication that they will hold elections.
No concessions for those opposing the Taliban
The appointment of new cabinet members from various elements of the radical Islamist movement showed no sign of any concessions to the protests in Kabul earlier in the day. Hundreds of men and women marched in the streets shouting slogans such as “Long Live the Resistance” and “Death to Pakistan” to protest the Taliban takeover. Pakistan has deep ties with the Taliban and has been accused of aiding in its return to power – allegations Islamabad denies.
No clarity on Taliban chief’s role
It is still unclear what role Taliban chief Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada will play in the government, which has not been seen or heard publicly for many years. The group had said in a previous manifesto that Akhundzada was living in Kandahar and would make a public appearance soon.
ISI’s role in Baradar’s ‘demotion’ doubtful
Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was expected to head the new Taliban government. He was the main face of the Taliban during the Doha talks. Baradar served as the head of the Taliban’s political office, overseeing the signing of the US withdrawal agreement in 2020.
But according to reports, Baradar was injured in a clash between his group and the ally Haqqani network late on Friday, following which ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed was sent to Kabul on Saturday as an active troubleshooter from a professional watcher. Was inspired to change roles.
The deal to form the new government was apparently done by the ISI chief. In this ISI-mediated deal, Hassan emerged as the ‘right’ option as he has no power base of his own, so he poses no threat to the leaders of major Taliban factions.
New cabinet includes US-designated terrorist
Haqqani Network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is on the FBI’s Most Wanted list for terrorism, will serve as acting Interior Minister. This could complicate any US move to cooperate with the Taliban, especially as President Joe Biden has urged the Taliban to cut all ties with terrorist groups.
A blow to Qatar?
The unveiling of the new Taliban government appears to be a setback to Qatar’s plan to play a bigger role in Afghanistan, at least than in Pakistan. Most of Afghanistan’s new cabinet members belong to the military wing of the Taliban, which is closer to Pakistan.
“Qatar is a vital conduit between the Taliban and the rest of the world, but nothing like the kind of deep influence on the group that Pakistan does,” Jane Kinnamont, Middle East analyst at the European Leadership Network, told Bloomberg.
(with inputs from agencies)
The announcement of the new government comes seven days after the last US troops left Afghanistan on August 31.
Mulla Hasani Akhund, an aide of the movement’s late founder Mullah Omar, has been made caretaker prime minister, while Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar will serve as deputy prime minister.
The Taliban’s chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, told a news conference in Kabul that Sirajuddin Haqqani, the son of the founder of the Haqqani network, would be the interior minister.
Mullah Omar’s son Mullah Mohammad Yacoub has been made Defense Minister. Mujahid said that all the appointments are in acting capacity.
Afghanistan Crisis Live Updates
Here are key facts from the formation of the new government in Afghanistan:
No non-Taliban in government
There were no non-Taliban names in the official lineup, a great demand from the international community.
Announcing the cabinet, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the appointments are for an interim government. However, he did not elaborate on how long they would work and what would be the catalyst for the change.
So far the Taliban have shown no indication that they will hold elections.
No concessions for those opposing the Taliban
The appointment of new cabinet members from various elements of the radical Islamist movement showed no sign of any concessions to the protests in Kabul earlier in the day. Hundreds of men and women marched in the streets shouting slogans such as “Long Live the Resistance” and “Death to Pakistan” to protest the Taliban takeover. Pakistan has deep ties with the Taliban and has been accused of aiding in its return to power – allegations Islamabad denies.
No clarity on Taliban chief’s role
It is still unclear what role Taliban chief Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada will play in the government, which has not been seen or heard publicly for many years. The group had said in a previous manifesto that Akhundzada was living in Kandahar and would make a public appearance soon.
ISI’s role in Baradar’s ‘demotion’ doubtful
Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar was expected to head the new Taliban government. He was the main face of the Taliban during the Doha talks. Baradar served as the head of the Taliban’s political office, overseeing the signing of the US withdrawal agreement in 2020.
But according to reports, Baradar was injured in a clash between his group and the ally Haqqani network late on Friday, following which ISI chief Lt Gen Faiz Hameed was sent to Kabul on Saturday as an active troubleshooter from a professional watcher. Was inspired to change roles.
The deal to form the new government was apparently done by the ISI chief. In this ISI-mediated deal, Hassan emerged as the ‘right’ option as he has no power base of his own, so he poses no threat to the leaders of major Taliban factions.
New cabinet includes US-designated terrorist
Haqqani Network leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, who is on the FBI’s Most Wanted list for terrorism, will serve as acting Interior Minister. This could complicate any US move to cooperate with the Taliban, especially as President Joe Biden has urged the Taliban to cut all ties with terrorist groups.
A blow to Qatar?
The unveiling of the new Taliban government appears to be a setback to Qatar’s plan to play a bigger role in Afghanistan, at least than in Pakistan. Most of Afghanistan’s new cabinet members belong to the military wing of the Taliban, which is closer to Pakistan.
“Qatar is a vital conduit between the Taliban and the rest of the world, but nothing like the kind of deep influence on the group that Pakistan does,” Jane Kinnamont, Middle East analyst at the European Leadership Network, told Bloomberg.
(with inputs from agencies)
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