Topline
Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's co-founder and political leader, will lead the new government of Afghanistan, according to reports. This is just days after the U.S. military with its allies pulled all its soldiers and officials out of Afghanistan.
Abdul Ghani Baradar was a key player in the Talibans' peace negotiations with many foreign players. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
The Key Facts
Two other senior leaders will assist Baradar: Sher Mohammad Abdul Stanekzai, and Mohammad Yaqoob (son of deceased Taliban founder Mullah Omar), Reuters reported, citing a Taliban official. Haibatullah Akhunzada (the Taliban's supreme religious leader) will not be a part of the political leadership, but will continue to oversee religious matters. This announcement of the leadership comes at a critical time for Afghanistan's new leadership. The country is facing multiple crises including a devastation economy and rising rebellion in its northern Panjshir valley. According to reports, peace talks between the Taliban militia group and Ahmad Massoudthe son anti-Taliban Northern Alliance leader Ahmad Shah Massoudhave broken down with both sides ready for conflict. Afghanistan's economy is in danger of collapse, as foreign aid has ceased and its $9.4 billion cash reserves have been frozen. The Taliban government must also address this problem.
Important Background
Baradar was the co-founder of the Taliban in the 1990s and held several high ranking government posts when the militant group was in power between 1996 & 2001. After the 2001 U.S. Invasion, the Taliban government collapsed, Baradar was able to lead insurgent group fighters. In 2010, he was captured near Karachi in Pakistan in a mission believed to have been co-planned by Pakistani and U.S. agents. After the Trump administration had lobbied for his release, he was freed in 2018. Baradar, who was released in 2018, has led the Taliban's negotiations with the U.S.
Surprising Fact
Mohammed Omar, the Taliban's former supreme leader, co-founder and chief strategist, created the nom de guerre Baradar, which means brother, for his colleague. Baradar was a Mujahideen who had fought against Soviet intervention in Afghanistan in the 1980s.
What to Watch
According to the Taliban, it is planning to try to get international recognition of its legitimacy. This would be critical for international aid. As Afghanistan is on the verge of economic collapse, the Taliban will need access to foreign aid as well as its foreign cash reserves. The United States and its European allies have called on the Taliban to form an inclusive government, which includes women and members of various religious and ethnic minority groups.
Continue reading
Who runs the Taliban? These Are Some of The Top Leaders Of The Taliban Group. (Forbes)
Sources (Reuters): Taliban founder Baradar to lead the new Afghanistan government
Mullah Baradar: Afghanistans President-in-Waiting? (The Diplomat).
