Taliban prepare to reveal new Afghan government
The Taliban are putting the final touches on the make-up of their new government, just days after the last US troops left the country.
Top Taliban officials are expected to lead the government, and the cabinet is unlikely to include any officials from the former Afghan regime, according to the Washington Post.
The newspaper cited the movement’s deputy spokesman, Bilal Karimi, as saying: “Decisions have been made, and announcements are imminent.”
Observers expect the movement’s most prominent political leader, Abdul Ghani Baradar, to be named prime minister, while Taliban leader Haibatullah Akhundzada is expected to be named supreme leader of Afghanistan, The Washington Post reported.
Karimi said: “We have held consultations with the international community, and we hope they will cooperate with us.”
“Without international recognition, Afghanistan’s economy will likely continue to falter, potentially plunging millions below the poverty line,” the Post said.
Internally, the Taliban face several challenges to their authority, including the resistance faction in the north of the country and popular protests against the movement’s hard-line bases.
Since the Taliban took control of Kabul last month, the group has held several high-level meetings with former Afghan government officials who remain in Afghanistan, raising hopes of an inclusive, inclusive government.
“But Karimi said the talks were aimed only at reassuring them of their safety, and there were no consultations on the future structure of the country.”
Regarding future leadership appointments, Karimi added: “We have made our own decisions.”
Other prominent Taliban leaders, such as Seraj Haqqani, the head of the Haqqani network, and Mauloue Mohammad Yacoub, the son of the late Taliban leader mollah Omar, are expected to occupy positions of influence in the new government, according to the US newspaper.
After nearly three weeks of rule by the Taliban in Afghanistan, the international community has not recognized the Taliban as the legitimate representative of the country, and most States have indicated that recognition will come only after a political settlement is reached with those whom the Taliban have ousted from power.
