Taliban in Afghanistan: “Welcome to our peaceful country”

A month ago, the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. Outwardly, they are mostly friendly, also in Mazar-i-Sharif in the north of the country. For years the Bundeswehr had its largest field camp here.

Great turmoil at the Taliban checkpoint: foreigners have just entered the country from Uzbekistan. Instead of asking for passports or permits: selfie time! Ten young Taliban, with Kalashnikovs and machine guns around their shoulders, are now busy using their smartphones to take videos and photos with the newcomers.

Haji Mualem greets you kindly: “By God, you are welcome to our peaceful country. It is now 100 percent safe everywhere, don’t worry anymore. You can travel around in peace and enjoy your stay.” Haji Mualem is actually a teacher, but is now guarding a checkpoint behind the border with Uzbekistan with the other armed Taliban. Shortly before he lets the tour group through, he says: “We have no problems with Germans. We just didn’t want German soldiers here. But we want a good relationship with you.” And that is what they want with all Afghans, say the Taliban.

Many are afraid of the new rulers

In the city, however, they are not only recognizable by their turbans and long hair, but above all because they all carry weapons. A good month after they came to power, many people are still afraid of the new rulers. “Everything has changed here,” says Waheed Arman. He owns a small shop in the center of Mazar-e Sharif town. He used to receive discarded goods from the Bundeswehr camp almost every day and sell them for good prices.

Now neither replenishment is coming, nor would people have the money to buy anything at all, says Arman, who also once worked in the armed forces camp himself: “I’m really worried about my wife and sons too. If the Taliban Find out that I once worked for the Germans, I have no idea what happens next. Most of them are uneducated, they only understand the language of violence. When they come into my shop, I’m always very scared. ”

“The people are poor and need help”

The district hospital is not far from the market. The building and equipment, co-financed by Germany. Taliban are now also lying in beds. One of them is hanging on a drip, the machine gun ready to hand next to him on the windowsill. The staff who look after him have not been paid for two months.

The provincial head of health care has left his country, now Mawlawi Sheik Saddam has taken his place, he too belongs to the Taliban. “The Germans have already helped us a lot in the health sector,” says the new boss. The Taliban flag is on his desk next to a globe. “We still need German support. War has raged in our country for more than 40 years. The people are poor and need help.”

At a donor conference a few days ago, many countries pledged short-term emergency aid for Afghanistan, around one billion euros, which is not conditional. Long-term development aid and cooperation will, however, depend on how the new Taliban regime deals with women, children and minorities.