The new Afghan Taliban leader appealed for unity in the insurgency in his first public message released yesterday amid reports his predecessor’s family members opposed his selection.
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Several members of the Taliban Supreme Council boycotted the meeting summoned to finalize the name of the new leader. It could not be independently verified.
Notwithstanding the controversy surrounding the death of the two iconic leaders of the Taliban movement, there is a silver lining that successors to both departed leaders are known for their pro-peace commitment.
“We should keep our unity, we must be united, our enemy will be happy in our separation”, Mansoor purportedly said in the message. “Our jihad will continue until the establishment of an Islamic regime in Afghanistan“, he said. By screening submissions, we provide a space where readers can share intelligent and informed commentary that enhances the quality of our news and information.
Mansoor, Omar’s deputy, was elected successor.
We moderate comments. Our goal is to provide substantive commentary for a general readership. Whatever happens must comply with Sharia law, whether that be jihad, or talks, or an invitation to either. “I have no differences with new Amir Mullah Akhtar Mansoor and all such reports are baseless”.
“This is a moment of opportunity” for the Taliban to choose war or peace, Washington’s special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, Daniel Feldman, told journalists here Friday.
In the 33-minute message released on Saturday, Mullah Akhtar Mansoor vowed to follow Mullah Omar’s footsteps, casting more doubt on the future of the peace negotiations with the government. A second round of face-to-face talks in Pakistan has been indefinitely postponed. Tutu, 83, won the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his opposition to white-minority rule in South Africa.
Waheed Muzhda, a former bureaucrat in the Taliban’s 1996-2001 administration and now a political analyst, downplayed the importance of Mullah Omar’s relatives to the question of succession. However, the death of the one-eyed Afghan commander may also scuttle the most promising peace talks in Afghanistan in a decade.
Earlier this week, multiple sources confirmed that the group’s former leader, Mullah Mohammed Omar, had died two years ago. While this will give Mansour much-needed protection within Taliban ranks should the knives ever come out the connection will not work in his favour if he is determined to pursue a peace process which does not enjoy universal support.
For now, the Taliban movement seems to be divided into three groups.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced Mansour as the new leader in a statement on Friday, a day after confirming that Mullah Omar was dead.
If Mansoor fails to appease Taliban fighters and subject commanders on the bottom, the last word beneficiary might be. Afghan government and U.S. military officials say the Islamic State group has established a small presence in Afghanistan and is actively recruiting militants from the Taliban and other factions, offering money and weapons.
Mullah Abdul Manan, the brother of the late Mullah Omar, claimed the new Taliban leader was “selected” by a small clique of his own supporters. He also played a central role in appointing commanders and shadow governors in the war-torn country, Mohammad said.
Under Omar’s leadership, the Taliban offered haven to al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden, precipitating the U.S. military action in Afghanistan after the terror attacks of September 11, 2001. However, he said that the “Fadai Front” got to know about the “plan” and foiled his assassination.
Formed 30 years ago to counter the Soviet invasion in the 80s, the notorious Haqqani network is blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan. “Haqqani… was ill but has been blessed with good health for a prolonged period now and has no troubles”, the Taliban said on their website.
Rumors of Haqqani’s demise have circulated and been denied by militants for the previous yr.
However, Mullah Omar’s death reports overshadowed the negotiations.
Pakistan’s relationship with Mansour’s newly named deputy, Sirajuddin Haqqani, is even more contradictory.
Taliban attacks against Afghan officials and forces have intensified with their annual warm-weather offensive.
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By Lynne O’Donnell And Rahim Faiez, The Associated Press on August 1, 2015.
