The reclusive supreme leader of the Taliban, Hibatullah Akhundzada, issued a message urging unity among officials in order to serve Afghanistan properly. This comes amidst rare public dissent within the Taliban, particularly regarding the bans on female education. Akhundzada, who rarely appears in public, emphasized the importance of avoiding disagreements and selfishness among Taliban officials. His message, distributed in multiple languages, touched on various topics including diplomatic relations, the economy, justice, charity, and the virtues of meritocracy.
While addressing the issue of disagreements within the Taliban, Akhundzada mentioned the failure to implement Shariah in Afghanistan due to internal divisions. However, he did not mention reopening schools and universities for girls and women, nor did he address reports about a possible resumption of stoning Afghan women to death for adultery. Instead, he emphasized that security is aligned with Shariah and justice, rather than being tough or resorting to violence. Analysts believe that Akhundzada’s message is an attempt at damage control following negative impressions created by previous statements.
In response to Akhundzada’s message, analysts have noted that it is largely focused on governance and anti-corruption matters. Professor Hassan Abbas from the National Defense University in Washington D.C. and author of the book “Return of the Taliban” described the message as reasonable and aimed at dispelling negative perceptions. The Taliban-controlled Supreme Court also announced that six people, including a woman, were publicly flogged on adultery charges in eastern Logar province. This public punishment raises concerns about the Taliban’s treatment of women and their commitment to human rights.
Akhundzada’s message comes at a time when the Taliban is seeking legitimacy on the global stage, particularly from countries in Central Asia for investment and support. The restrictions imposed by the Taliban on women and girls have sparked international outcry and isolated the group. Akhundzada’s call for unity among Taliban officials may be an attempt to address internal dissent and present a unified front to the international community. However, questions remain about the Taliban’s commitment to human rights, especially regarding the treatment of women and their adherence to Shariah law.
Despite Akhundzada’s message focusing on governance and unity, concerns persist about the Taliban’s oppressive policies, particularly towards women and minorities. The international community continues to monitor the situation in Afghanistan closely, particularly as the Taliban consolidates its power and faces scrutiny for its human rights record. The Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of Ramadan serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by Afghans, especially women and girls, under Taliban rule. It remains to be seen how the Taliban will address these concerns and whether they will make meaningful changes to their policies.
