At The Same Time, The Taliban Rejects ‘Interference’ And Rights Of Women And Girls
September 24, 2021—Just as the world is coming to terms with a complete takeover of the Taliban in Afghanistan, the organization has written a request to join the talks at the ongoing United Nations General Assembly.
Challenges Expected
The unexpected request, which was addressed to the U.N. Secretary-General, is an example of the political challenges the Taliban now face.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, the U.N. committee that generally meets in November will issue a ruling “in due course.”
The bigger issue is how to gain legitimacy after forcefully taking over the country in the vacuum of power left by U.S. and NATO forces. It’s true the former Afghan government and military did not stand to fight as Taliban forces swept the country under its control. It’s also true that Taliban forces sought revenge and committed crimes against humanity in the provinces they took.
Recognition, But Not Official
While no country has yet to officially recognize the Taliban as head of government in Afghanistan, most leaders are talking with Taliban leaders for the sake of evacuating people and administering aid.
In a meeting this week with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi asserted that the international community has a moral obligation to help the Afghan people. Also, according to the statement he released, Pakistan’s Qureshi said he “hoped that the world would not repeat the mistake of disengaging with Afghanistan,” as they did decades ago (after the Soviet Union left).
Other leaders from Central Asia are also urging cooperation with the new Taliban government. Several, such as Turkmenistan and China, have ongoing investments and infrastructure projects in Afghanistan.
Money Matters
Even though it seems unlikely that the U.N. committee will recognize the Taliban in time to address the annual General Assembly meetings this year, the leaders are striving for more: They want to achieve global recognition. At stake are billions of dollars needed to run the nation. Several governments, including the United States, and international organizations have frozen funds that belonged to the former Afghan government.
“The concerns that the international community has, they should share them with us so we can solve them,” a Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in response to a question about the funds at the Sept. 21 press conference.
Prior to the Taliban takeover, 75 percent of the Afghan government’s money came from foreign aid. Mujahid said he is not worried because most of that money was “wasted” anyway and the Taliban has its own means of
“Afghanistan is not a poor country. We have our own income path and ways and routes,” he said. “So we will keep going through the same routes.”
New Islamic Government
The spokesman also said the organization is looking to establish a consistent system to carry out effective governance.
At the same time as they seek recognition, the Taliban is establishing itself as an Islamic government that rejects interference.
“Our law is Islam,” the Taliban tweeted on its account, TalibanUpdates, September 23. “We will make laws according to Qur’an and Sunnah. No one should have any misunderstanding about this. No one has the right to dictate. Taliban leader Mullah Noruddin Turabi’s clear announcement.”
Qatar: ‘Don’t Boycott’
Meanwhile, Qatar’s ruling leader, Sheikh Tamim, urged global leaders not to boycott the Taliban. Speaking at the General Assembly on Tuesday, the emir stated, “Boycott only leads to polarization and reactions, whereas dialogue could bring in positive results.”
Qatar, which hosts the third-largest U.S. Army base in the Middle East, played an important role in the American withdrawal from Afghanistan and helped mediate the evacuation from Kabul.
Girls Banned From Attending School
Still, diplomats urging reconciliation with the Taliban face a mixed reaction. Those who chose collaboration will have to put aside support for women and girls for the sake of administering aid and holding up the fragile economy. The Taliban have shut schooling down for middle- and high school-age girls, closed a ministry for women’s affairs and told women in some professions to stay home.
Additional reporting by Patti Mohr.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2021 Patti Mohr