Taliban announce ‘interim government’ in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan

Just weeks after capturing the capital Kabul, the Taliban on Tuesday announced an “interim government” in Afghanistan to be led by Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund.

Zabiullah Mujahid announced the long-awaited 33-member cabinet one day after the Taliban said they had taken full control of the country.

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar and Mullah Abdul Salam Hanafi are set to serve as Akhund’s deputies, Mujahid told a news conference in Kabul's Information Ministry building.

Haqqani network head Sarajuddin Haqqani will be acting interior minister, and Amir Khan Muttaqi has been named acting foreign minister.

Mullah Yaqoob was named acting defense minister, with Zabihullah as acting culture and communications minister.

After today’s phase one, more ministry officials will be named in phase two, said Zabihullah, adding that a ministry of women's affairs is being considered.

Hassan Akhund, a founding Taliban member and head of its influential leadership council or Rehbari Shura, said they included people from different ethnic backgrounds in the interim government, with no discrimination.

Cabinet members

Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, the son of the group’s late supreme leader Mullah Omar, got the defense portfolio in the interim setup.

The other interim cabinet members are Amir Khan Muttaqi (foreign minister), Abas Stanikzai (deputy foreign minister), Qari Din Hanif (economy), Mawlawi Noor Mohammad Saqib (Hajj and religious affairs), Mawlawi Abdul Hakim Sharie (justice), Hidayatullah Badri (commerce), Mullah Noorullah Noori (borders and tribal affairs), Mullah Mohammad Younus Akhundzada (rural rehabilitation and development), Mullah Abdul Manan Omari (public works), Mullah Mohammad Esa Akhund (Mines and Petroleum), Mullah Abdul Latif Mansoor (water and energy), Mullah Hamidullah Akhundzada (civil aviation and transport), Maulvi Noorullah Munir (education), Abdul Baqi Haqqani (higher education), Najibullah Haqqani (telecommunications), Khalilurahman Haqqani (refugees), Abdul Haq Wasiq (intelligence head), Haji Mohammad Idris (central bank head), Ahmad Jan Ahmadi (administrative office head), Khairullah Khairkhwaha (director of information and culture ministry), Haji Khalilur Rehman Haqqani (Refugees), Mullah Mohammad Fazil Mazlum (interim deputy defense minister), Qari Fasihuudin Loi (chief of staff), Mullah Abdul Haq Akhund (interim deputy minister of counter-narcotics and interior), Rahmatullah Najib (deputy director intelligence), Taj Mir Jawad (deputy director military intelligence), and Maulavi Noorud Din Jalali (interim deputy interior minister).

Global recognition

Mujahid expressed hope that the new government will be recognized by the international community, particularly the Muslim world and neighboring countries.

“We are eager to collaborate with everyone, even the US, which we fought for 20 years,” he added.

However, he accused the US and previous governments of sowing social divisions, which he said “will not be tolerated from now on.”

The Taliban included people from many ethnic groups in the new setup, he said, citing the example of Qari Fasihuddin, a Badakhshan native who is in the interim cabinet.

‘Propaganda’

Mujahid dismissed media claims saying Pakistan helped the Taliban capture the Panjshir Valley, the last area outside their control, saying: “This is the continuation of 20 years of propaganda against the Taliban.”

The Taliban have been subjected to dark propaganda for the past two decades, and “we will not accept this now,” he added.

Asked about a gathering in Kabul that was dispersed by Taliban security forces, he said it was part of Western propaganda intended to harm the reputation of the Taliban.