Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid who led the Taliban delegation in the third Doha meeting has asserted that power-sharing with political groups poses a significant risk to Afghanistan’s stability.
In an interview with the Taliban-run national broadcaster, RTA, Mujahid categorized proponents of an inclusive government into two factions: those seeking peace and those vying for political positions and ministries.
Mujahid argued that the latter group’s focus on power and factionalism could destabilize the country. “If we consider power-sharing, where this position belongs to one group and that position to another, managing this sector by one and that sector by another, we will face another danger. Afghanistan will not be rebuilt. It will revert to divisions and groupings, leading to a conflict field, which we unfortunately had before,” he said.
Despite these statements, Mujahid hinted that future political participation might be available to all Afghan citizens. However, he did not address the ongoing restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan, a point of contention among citizens and international observers. Many Afghans have accused the Taliban of systematic discrimination against women.
“They never talk about our education. They have taken away our jobs. Schools are closed, universities are closed. How long will we remain without a future?” lamented a Kabul resident.
Karima Azam, a women’s rights activist, echoed these sentiments, describing the Taliban’s treatment of women as discriminatory. “Unfortunately, the Taliban deny women’s rights and do not pay attention to them. Instead, they treat Afghan women, especially active women, in a discriminatory manner,” she said.
Mujahid also claimed that the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Germany are seeking to reopen their embassies in Afghanistan. “The Saudi representative said—their ambassador was also present at the meeting—and he mentioned that he is ready, his suitcase is packed, and he is prepared to go to Kabul,” Mujahid reported. However, no country has confirmed these remarks, and Germany plans to withdraw the staff of its last aid organization, GIZ, from Afghanistan by the end of the year.
The international community, including neighboring countries, has repeatedly called for the Taliban to establish an inclusive government as a precondition for recognition—a demand the Taliban has so far rejected.
