The new Interim government of the Islamic Emirates of Afghanistan (IEA) led by Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund is likely to take oath of office on September 11, a day which also marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the US in 2001. As per the reports, Invitations have been prepared and rolled out to several countries including China, Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Qatar, India, and the US for attending the oath-taking ceremony.
This comes at a time when the countries are reiterating that they are in no hurry to recognise the Taliban government in Afghanistan. Recently, the Taliban announced the list of cabinet members; emphasising that the new government will be under a caretaker step. The Taliban are seeking international recognition and have called on the countries to reopen their embassies in the war-torn nation. The composition of the government, mostly prominent Taliban and Haqqani leaders, has raised international concern as the United States also said it is watching the new government closely. Various old guards of the Taliban in the new setup carries a bounty on their heads and are listed as proscribed terrorists by the United Nations and other global platforms.
The interim Prime Minister, Mohammad Hassan Akhund, is under UN sanctions. Sirajuddin Haqqani, named the acting Interior Minister, is on the FBI’s most-wanted list with a bounty of $10 million on his head. Khalil Haqqani, appointed as the acting Minister for Refugees, also carries a $5 million bounty on his head. There are many others in the list in senior positions who are either members of the US-designated terror groups, or are on international sanctions lists or are former Guantanamo inmates. The Taliban have lashed out at the international criticism against the members of their interim setup, especially the US, who they say are violating the Doha peace agreement by not recognising the interim Taliban government.
