KABUL: The Afghan Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada made an unprecedented visit to Afghanistan’s capital, departing from his secluded compound in Kandahar to meet with the country’s top officials.
This move follows a series of localized conflicts between farmers and Taliban anti-narcotic units, tasked with eradicating poppy fields in northeastern Afghanistan, alongside devastating flash floods claiming hundreds of lives and destroyed thousands of houses.
Hibatullah Akhundzada addressed the 34 provincial governors at the Interior Ministry on Thursday, as reported by the Taliban website Al Emarah. His speech focused on the importance of unity and adherence to divine obedience, with an emphasis on prioritizing the implementation of Islamic Sharia law over personal interests. He underscored the avoidance of nepotism in official appointments.
Akhundzada, known for his extreme reclusiveness with only one publicly available photo, typically governs from his secretive compound in Kandahar. However, his cabinet operates from Kabul, executing his directives.
Analysts suggest that the purpose of this extraordinary visit was to reinforce internal discipline and unity, possibly prompted by unrest in eastern Afghanistan’s Badakhshan region. Recent reports detailed clashes between Taliban forces and villagers protesting against the destruction of poppy fields, a lucrative crop banned by Akhundzada since April 2022.
The Afghan authorities have been grappling not only with local dissent but also with the persistent threat of attacks from the Islamic State group, particularly in Kabul. The presence of the supreme leader in Kabul underscores the Taliban’s efforts to quell internal disagreements and enforce cohesion.
In the words of a Western diplomat, “Whenever you see cracks or disagreements, then you have Kandahar stepping in reminding everyone and enforcing that (unity) as well.”
