Afghanistan’s Taliban Government Hopes for a “New Chapter in Relations” After Trump’s Win

8th November 2024

1 minute read

Afghanistan’s Taliban Government Hopes for a “New Chapter in Relations” After Trump’s Win

The spokesperson for the Taliban government’s foreign ministry, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, commented on Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. elections today, stating that the ministry hopes the U.S. government will take realistic steps to achieve its goals through a balanced foreign policy. He noted that substantial progress in relations between Kabul and Washington could be possible.

In a post on his “X” account, Balkhi expressed hope that “the two countries may open a new chapter in relations through mutual engagement.” He added that the Doha Agreement between the Taliban and the United States was signed during Trump’s presidency, marking the end of a 20-year occupation.

According to the Taliban spokesperson, “Trump is expected to play a constructive role in ending the ongoing wars in the region and globally, particularly in Gaza and Lebanon.”

The Taliban’s unexpected takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021 led to a chaotic Western withdrawal, bringing an end to the U.S.’s two-decade-long mission. In September 2021, the Taliban announced the formation of a hardline interim government, with four senior officials having previously been detained at Guantanamo Bay and later released in a 2014 prisoner exchange.

However, no country has recognized the Taliban government that was established after the U.S. withdrawal in August 2021.

Trump declared his victory over Kamala Harris in his first speech from his campaign headquarters in Florida on Wednesday morning, following initial results suggesting he was close to securing the presidential race.

Trump claimed to have achieved a “political victory never seen before in our country,” describing the preliminary results as an “unprecedented mandate” for him.