Taliban say consultations done, to unveil new government ‘very soon’
Kabul, Sep 1 (EFE).- The Taliban Wednesday said they have completed the consultation on government formation but were yet to decide who would head the new Afghan administration that they would announce “very soon.”
“The discussions, exchanges of views and consultations by the Islamic Emirate on the formation of a new government are completed,” Taliban spokesperson Bilal Karimi told EFE.
“The new government will be announced very soon, within days,” he said.
Karimi, however, noted that the Taliban leadership was now discussing ministerial appointments and portfolios.
Amid widespread speculations Taliban supreme commander Hibatullah Akhundzada might lead the new Afghan government, the spokesperson said the matter was also not finalized.
“Akhund is currently the leader of the Islamic Emirate but it will be premature to say who will lead the new government,” he said.
The Taliban had earlier claimed that the government would be inclusive. But the spokesman emphasized that the Islamists would lead it.
The Taliban began efforts to form the government after they seized power in Kabul on Aug.15.
Since then, they have held several informal meetings with many Afghan politicians, including former president Hamid Karzai and the president of the High Council for National Reconciliation, Abdullah Abdullah.
But it is still unknown if any of the figures from past governments, who fought against the Islamist insurgents, will have a place in power.
The absence of women in these meetings has also raised doubts about whether females will have a place in the new Afghan leadership.
The Taliban spokesperson said the departure of the last US soldier from Afghanistan on Monday boosted the efforts to form a new government.
He said the militia was waiting for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops before making any announcements about their administration to run the country.
The last group of American soldiers departed Kabul around midnight on Monday, ending the longest of US wars that began after the Sep.11, 2001 attacks in America. EFE
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