Can the Taliban’s interim government win the support it needs?
The caretaker government faces criticism for excluding women and being dominated by the Taliban’s ‘old guard’.
The Taliban promised an inclusive government that represents women. But after weeks of anticipation, its interim government appears to lack just that.
It was an all-male caretaker cabinet, consisting mainly of the group’s members who had close ties with its late founder Mullah Omar as well as members of the Haqqani network that is labelled a terrorist organisation by the United States.
The selection didn’t include representatives of Afghanistan’s toppled government, and it failed to meet the demands of the international community.
Foreign governments and lenders have said they want to see the rights of women and ethnic minorities respected.
The Taliban needs their support to secure desperately needed aid and run government institutions. The group says other posts still need to be filled and a permanent leadership would be named soon.
So, can the group win approval through action?
Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra
Guests:
Lutfullah Lutf, researcher and political analyst
Haroun Rahimi, assistant professor of law at the American University of Afghanistan
Peter Knoope, former head of mission to Afghanistan at Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs