A new Taliban government takes shape in Kabul

An update on the new Taliban government in the process of formation

 A new Taliban government takes shape in Kabul

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Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

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• The story: The Taliban took over the country smoothly in August 2021, but there is an economic crisis raging. Formation of a new government will be in the midst of it. For both funds or food, global aid is crucial.
• Demonetised: There is bound to be an acute shortage of cash as access to almost USD 10 billion in assets held overseas by the Afghan Central Bank is barred now. So as the Taliban 2.0 announce their new government for the "Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan", it was likely that Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada (Kandahar) would announce the formation of the new Cabinet.
• Nature of government: Taliban's message is that the government will be “inclusive”, give women freedom as acceptable under the Islamic laws and respect human rights.

1. It will be led by Taliban’s supreme leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada, who may have ultimate power over a new governing council and one of his with one of his deputies, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, who will be in-charge of day to day running of the Taliban government in Afghanistan. (though there were conflicting reports till the last moment)
2. This is quite similar to the Iranian model, with one theocratic Supreme Leader (unelected) and a President (elected).
3. Mullah Baradar was associated with the peace negotiations in Doha, Qatar. Hibatullah Akhundzada has been away from the public eye in an effort to model himself on the lines of the Taliban founder Mullah Omar.
4. Women in some cities demanded their inclusion in any new government being formed.

• Key positions: Another influential leader Sirajuddin Haqqani, and Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob (son of the Taliban movement’s founder Mullah Mohammad Omar) will be part of the government.
• India and Taliban talk: The Taliban reached out to Indian ambassador in Qatar Deepak Mittal for talks. And They tried to convince India not to remove its diplomats from Kabul and assured full security to the Embassy and diplomats of India. The Taliban talked about building economic, commercial, political and cultural relations. MEA of India repeated that its focus was that Afghan soil should not be used for any terrorist activities against India.

1. The MEA spokesperson did not explain why the talks were not photographed, a standard procedure for on-the-record diplomatic engagements, and evaded questions about the Haqqani network, a key member of the Taliban, which is designated a terror group by the UN.
2. Taliban deputy leader Sirajuddin Haqqani is wanted for attacks on the Indian Embassy and consulates in Afghanistan, including a suicide bombing in 2008 in which Indian diplomats were among 58 killed, and the attack on a gurdwara in Kabul in 2020, in which 25 were killed.

• Airport to be reopened: The head of Afghanistan’s Civil Aviation Authority has reportedly said that he is ready to sign a contract with Qatar to handle the technical aspects of Kabul airport. Though the main airport in Kabul is still closed, the Taliban has promised safe passage out of the country for the foreigners left behind or the Afghans who want to leave. Qatar said it was in talks with the Taliban and in contact with Turkey about giving technical support to re-start the Kabul airport as that will help in getting the humanitarian assistance faster. It will also help in speedy evacuation operations.
• EXAM QUESTIONS: (1) Explain the various reasons the world community was forced to accept the Taliban as in-charge of Afghanistan. (2) What is India's stand on the new Taliban government in Kabul? Explain. (3) Will US make a comeback in Afghanistan, in some way? Explain.

Read more on - Polity | Economy | Schemes | S&T | Environment

 #Afghanistan #Kabul #Taliban #USA #Haqqani #Baradar #India #MEA 

 

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