The Taliban has announced a new government for Afghanistan and declared the nation an “Islamic Emirate” amidst protests.
The group announced Mohammad Hasan Akhund, who had served as foreign minister and Deputy prime minister during the Taliban’s previous administration from 1996 to 2001 as the Head of the new government.
Abdul Ghani Baradar has been appointed as deputy leader and FBI wanted leader of the Haqqani militant group, Sirajuddin Haqqani has been appointed interior minister.
Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid also announced the appointed of Taliban founder son, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob as defence minister.
The new government has also seen top government post being given to top Taliban personalities, who led the 20 year long battle against the U.S backed administration and the Afghan government allies.
There was no evidence of non-Taliban personalities in the new cabinet lineup, which was an important demand from the international community.
Mujahid stressed at the press conference, that the new cabinet was an “acting” government and will involve people from other parts of the country, according to reports from Aljazeera.
“We know the people of our country have been waiting for a new government” Mujahid said, and the group had answered the people’s needs.
While the new cabinet lineup was being announced, Taliban fighters were also shooting in the air to disperse protesters, with Mujahid commenting that “this is not the time for protest, there was no government yet”
This is important to note, as a majority of the newly appointed government are from one ethnic group, which is a cause for concern in a country that has great ethnic diversity.
The Taliban gained control of Afghanistan on August 15th, hour after the United States began its withdrawal from the Afghan government, after supporting it for 20 years and led to the ousting of the previously elected leadership.
The announcement comes days after the Taliban gained full control in Afghanistan with their victory in the Afghan resistance last stance, Panjshir and a week after the U.S completely withdrew from the Arab nation.