Monthly Afghanistan News Roundup – June 2023
Ozair Khan
Within the framework of the Fiqhi Pathways project implemented jointly by CPI-Geneva and the Swiss FDFA’s Peace and Human Rights Division, engagement with Deobandi scholars of or close to Taliban and Pakistan is pursued to promote governance in line with IHL and Islamic jurisprudence through Fiqhi dialogue exchanges. This monthly newsletter aims to keep track of the discussions and debates among scholars on issues of governance policies of the Taliban, especially in the areas of education, social policies, and statecraft and governance institutions.
Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR)
Several news outlets have transmitted an agreement between the Pakistani and the Taliban to transfer members of the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrek Taliban Pakistan) and their families currently residing on Afghan soil to some northern parts of Afghanistan. The Pakistani government would financially support the purchase of lands and agricultural equipment. Such a project aims for the Pakistani Taliban to lay down their arms and reintegrate into the wider society.
However, according to the National Resistance Front (NRF), the area where they would be relocated is one of its strongholds. The NRF is a military alliance of former Northern Alliance members and supporters of the previous Afghan Republic. [1] The transfer of population has a historical connotation for many. They, who will equate this to social engineering, reminiscent of the actions of Abdurahman Khan’s (1844-1901) actions, who was the Afghan emperor who laid the foundations of the modern state of Afghanistan. One of his most controversial policies is that he forced Pashtuns to disperse around Afghanistan. But, this supposed agreement only comes from an anonymous source. Still, significant think tanks in Pakistan, like The Center for Research and Security Studies (CRSS), have analyzed the consequences of this possible population movement. [2]
Ethnic grievances are also present among Taliban ranks. In a widely shared video online, Abdul Hamid Khorasani, a Tajik Taliban commander from Panjshir, complained that the Pashtuns from Kandahar discriminate against other ethnicities. This wasn’t the first time emitting similar criticisms had been made. [3] In response, the chief commander of the Panjshir region, Mawlawai Musafir, whom Khorasani has called evil and an apostate, clarified that Khorasani was banned from coming to Panjshir due to his kidnapping of people. [4]
The Islamic Emirate has repeatedly clarified that it would not share power with anyone else. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Taliban, expressed disbelief in power-sharing based on ethnicity and called it a failed experience. [5] He also explained that Pashtuns comprise most of the Taliban’s top positions because they are the largest ethnic group. Nonetheless, according to him, the group operates based on “Islamic principles and Sharia Law, not ethnic considerations.”
Mullah Yaqub, the son of Mullah Omar and the Acting Defense Minister, likewise stated that intra-Afghan discussions on foreign and internal policy issues are counterproductive since Afghans never seem to agree. [6]
Mullahcracy
On a similar note to Abdul Hakim Khorasani, a Taliban supporter named General Mobeen, famous on social media for his exuberant personality, was detained after he criticized the Islamic Emirate’s “mullahcracy”. [7] In his opinion, the bureaucracy mainly consists of individuals without technical knowledge monopolizing power.
Mullah Yaqub admitted there was a lack of professionalism and meritocracy in the current government since its control over the country is relatively recent, and the situation will hopefully improve. [8] This indicates the advantageous positions of those with a religious background.
On several occasions, such as during the Eid sermon, Taliban officials have called citizens not to hesitate to complain if they have concerns or issues. [9] In pursuit of this, Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhunzadah ordered the establishment of a new council of religious scholars, this time in the Balkh Province. The goal of these councils scattered throughout Afghanistan is to collect and communicate the issues faced by the people with the Taliban authorities. The governor of the Balkh Province, Yusuf Wafa, stated: “The establishment of a council of religious scholars is the shortcut to addressing people’s problems.” [10]
Analysts say that establishing these councils is an outlet for the population to express their frustration regarding the lack of competent bureaucrats in the government. However, some religious scholars from these councils have felt excluded from the decision-making process. Sayed Hashimi, the head of the Balkh religious council, said: “Power and authority have been distributed in various domains, but religious scholars have been marginalized and excluded from all of them.” [11] This last statement can lead to confusion because, in reality, religious scholars are the ones with the most authority. Haibatullah Akhunzadah has the title of Shaykh al-Hadith, one of the highest ranks in the region’s Islamic scholarship. His advisors are also scholars. He most notably stated in the sermon he gave for Eid that the success of the Taliban takeover was due to God’s help and then by the fact that they listened to scholars and consulted them. [12] However, Sayed Hashimi’s comments indicate that only scholars officially within the Taliban ranks have a significant say, not scholars outside the group, even if they sympathize with the cause.
Presence of armed groups
The UN and certain think tanks, such as the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), have reported that armed groups have freedom of movement within Afghanistan. For example, a UN report states that al Qaeda, which only had a few dozen members, now has more than 30 senior officials and more than 400 combatants. [13]
As for IS-K, over the last few months, the Taliban have killed several IS-K leaders, which has led many to believe that the armed group is slowly losing its ground. Therefore, according to analysts, IS-K has ceased trying to gain territory and has adopted the guerilla warfare method. The USIP report cites that the number of IS-K fighters is around 4,000-6,000 (including their family members). [14]
But in a surprising statement a few days after the publication of these reports, Joe Biden declared that the withdrawal was a success since Al-Qaeda is no longer present in Afghanistan and the Taliban are cooperating with the Americans. [15]
Dealings with the International Community
UNICEF was notified that it would be required to hand over its education programs, currently helping around 500,000 students, to the Islamic Emirate. When asked about this policy, the Minister of Education refused to comment. This development is another sign of the need for dialogue between international organizations and the Taliban government. [16]
The 53rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva started on the 19th of June and will last until the 14th of July. A session was dedicated to Afghanistan, especially on the fate of women. Several Afghan female speakers shared the difficulties women face daily. A clip of the session was widely shared on social media, showing Madina Mahboobi, a human rights defender living in Afghanistan, urging the international community to explore every avenue to engage with the Islamic Emirate to address Afghans’ difficulties. [17] Despite Mahboobi being a fierce critic of the Taliban regime in earlier parts of her speech, she was labeled a Taliban supporter. This is a typical case demonstrating the lack of nuance on this issue.
References
[1] https://kabulnow.com/2023/06/nrf-warns-against-relocating-ttp-members-to-northern-afghanistan/
[2] https://crss.pk/relocating-the-ttp-will-not-end-pakistans-terrorism-problem/
[3] https://twitter.com/AfghanAnalyst2/status/1671592143759069184
[4] https://twitter.com/aamajnews_24/status/1672262793754492928
[5] https://amu.tv/en/53732/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwgBK0Uc7hs&t=1139s
[7] https://twitter.com/AfghanAnalyst2/status/1665840037706055686
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwgBK0Uc7hs&t=1139s
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgRnJG8Iim8
[10] https://8am.media/eng/mullahcracy-the-taliban-emphasize-creating-council-of-religious-scholars-as-a-solution-for-engaging-with-the-people/
[11] Ibid
[12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD97jqWx064
[13] https://www.voanews.com/a/un-report-warns-al-qaida-islamic-state-growing-in-afghanistan/7138133.html
[14] https://www.usip.org/publications/2023/06/growing-threat-islamic-state-afghanistan-and-south-asia
[15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD97jqWx064
[16] https://www.ohchr.org/en/news/2023/06/human-rights-council-opens-fifty-third-session-hears-presentation-annual-report-high
[17] https://twitter.com/HarisJamalzada/status/1670760043694682113
