Taliban press conference: “No grudge against anyone”

In Afghanistan, the population lives in insecurity after the Taliban came to power. At the moment, the Islamists seem primarily to want to give the impression of normality – they have announced the end of the war and a general amnesty.

After taking power in Afghanistan, the Islamist Taliban officially spoke up for the first time. At a press conference in Kabul, Taliban spokesman Sabihullah Mujahid announced the end of the war and a general amnesty. The “Islamic emirate”, as the Taliban now call the country, has no grudge against anyone. “Everyone is forgiven.” They do not want enemies at home or abroad, and there will be no reprisals.

He also assured that women’s rights would be protected in accordance with Islamic law. Because Afghan women are Muslim, they would also be happy to live within the framework of Sharia law, the spokesman said. Private media should also be allowed to work “independently” as long as they do not undermine “national values”. Mujahid also assured that Afghanistan would not give shelter to anyone trying to harm other nations – an allusion to the terrorist group Al Qaeda, which had served Afghanistan as a refuge in the past.

Taliban vice back in Afghanistan

According to the Islamists, one of the co-founders of the Taliban, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, left Qatar and returned to Afghanistan. Baradar is Deputy Chief of the Taliban and previously headed its political office in Qatar. In his last position he was significantly involved in the long stalled peace negotiations in the emirate.

Before leaving, he met with Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, according to an official statement. They discussed recent security and political events in Afghanistan. They also emphasized the importance of protecting civilians there. In addition, they agreed that efforts towards national reconciliation in Afghanistan should be accelerated and that a comprehensive political agreement and a peaceful transfer of power should be worked towards.

Taliban take over authorities and ministries

In Afghanistan, the Taliban are now apparently working on an orderly takeover of the country’s most important control centers, such as authorities and ministries. Government employees followed their call to resume work, said a ministry official who did not want to be named, told the dpa news agency. Many of his colleagues came to work, but not women. The Islamists had lists of employees and would only allow access to those who were on the list.

Local media published photos showing that traffic cops were also returning to work. Kabul residents said shops are open again and people are on the streets. A resident of Pul-e Sorch said the Taliban would use loudspeaker cars to call people to accept them without fear. Everything was normal, they were all brothers and they would keep the city safe.

TV presenter guides through the program

Residents of the city were surprised that the popular TV channel ToloNews let its well-known presenter, who also interviewed a Taliban representative, guide through the program. The station’s news chief, Miraqa Popal, pointed this out on Twitter. ToloNews also sent a reporter through Kabul to report live on the situation in the city. Both wore neither burqa nor niqab, so they were not fully veiled.

A Taliban spokesman commented on the Islamists’ attitude towards women in a television interview. You could “take up education and higher education” in the future, including universities, he told the British broadcaster Sky News. When asked whether women in Afghanistan would have to veil themselves and wear the burqa in the future, the spokesman said no. On the other hand, a hijab, i.e. a headscarf, would be expected.

Fear of revenge from the Taliban

Even if the leaders of the Taliban try to convey an impression of normality and security in Kabul, many people have lived in fear since the seizure of power. The former Afghanistan correspondent of ARD, Gabor Halasz, describes what he hears from Kabul: The local people do not know how things are going now. Fewer women can be seen on the street.

With a view to the announced amnesty, Halasz said that the Taliban could insure a lot, people didn’t believe them. One must expect violence at all times, because the local Taliban leaders would decide on their course of action on the ground, possibly also independently of the assurances of the Taliban spokesman at the press conference. In his estimation, the Taliban would be looking for people who have worked with foreign forces in the past. Many would therefore delete messages and photos that could serve as evidence of their activities.

Incident reports

There had already been reports of security incidents in Kabul in the past few days. Taliban fighters are said to have gained access to residential buildings and took cars with them. At the same time, several Kabul residents said that common criminals took advantage of the arrival of the Taliban and pretended to be Taliban.

An audio message attributed to Taliban deputy chief Mullah Jakub and published by ToloNews contains a warning to Taliban fighters not to enter private houses or to take vehicles with them under any circumstances. Should an official or an individual do this, it is a “betrayal of the system” and they will be held accountable.

Above all, people who have worked for the government or foreigners worry that the Taliban will come to their homes and take revenge on them or loot them. These people are currently unable to leave the country because the Taliban are not allowing Afghan citizens to leave the country.