New Beginnings

Those who had endured the hammer strokes of the last Taliban regime are unnerved by the status quo. Now journalists and political analysts have optimistically declared that the new Taliban-led administration will not be as oppressive as the previous one because the group has evolved in its thinking. It has been argued that the Taliban who ruled Afghanistan until 2001 mostly comprised madressah students with a narrow agenda. Analysts have suggested that the new Taliban regime has a deeper understanding of the intricacies of global affairs and is more likely to exercise restraint. Repeated assurances that the new leaders come in peace and are reluctant to pursue the politics of revenge serve to validate these claims. Even so, it is difficult to perceive this new-found moderation as little more than a thin veneer. The group’s new garb does little to mask its chequered history.

Days after the takeover, the Taliban held its first news conference during which their spokesperson addressed key concerns about the new policy framework. This approach marks a radical departure from the group’s normally taciturn posture and reflects that its leaders have learnt from the past. These tactics must be taken with a pinch of salt until the Taliban are able to deliver on key promises.

The Taliban spokesman has said that the Taliban would declare amnesty to all their rivals. Though this decision is critical for peace-building, it can only be of any value if it is duly implemented. The situation on the ground appears to be somewhat tense. After the takeover, Twitter was abuzz with rumours that armed men were conducting door-to-door inquiries about Afghans who had worked with the Americans or the Ashraf Ghani-led government. At first, it was unclear whether these gunmen were Taliban officials or criminals masquerading as them. A few days later, a confidential report issued by the UN revealed that the Taliban had intensified efforts to find people who had worked with Nato forces and the US. In addition, reports of violent incidents stand in cold defiance of the group’s overall narrative of new beginnings. In its first week alone, Taliban fighters attacked civilians during independence day celebrations while casualties were also reported at protests.

Press freedom was also guaranteed by the Taliban spokesperson - albeit with some provisos. Under the new regime, an independent media can criticize the shortcomings of the Taliban as long as it doesn’t breach ‘national values’. It remains to be seen whether this right will be preserved without any unforeseen restrictions being imposed.

At the group’s maiden press briefing, the spokesperson also highlighted that women’s rights would be safeguarded within the “norms of Islamic law”. Women would also be permitted to join the Taliban-led government. While women would not be forced to wear a burqa, they would be expected to wear a hijab.

At the conference, a female anchor from a local news network grilled the spokesperson, which served as little more than a publicity gimmick. Such moves cannot erase the history of violence and persecution meted out to women under the previous Taliban regime. Over the last two decades, Afghan women have carved a space for themselves in the public sphere. Any attempt to restrict this achievement through caveats will serve to undermine the rights of women.

The spokesman also assured journalists that minority rights would be protected and the well-being of marginalized groups would be ensured. Taliban officials have already guaranteed safety to Sikh and Hindu communities. The group will, however, need to make a concerted effort to safeguard various ethnic groups in Afghanistan. As per an alarming report issued by Amnesty International, Taliban fighters killed nine ethnic Hazara men after seizing the country’s Ghazni province in July. The findings of this report have been used as evidence that the Taliban haven’t undergone a major facelift since 2001. It is difficult to overlook the fact that Afghanistan’s Hazara community - a primarily Shia-dominated ethnic group - was persecuted by the Taliban in the past. That the group has restored the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ sounds a death knell for pluralistic values in the country.

The Taliban have vowed not to allow Afghan soil to be used as a base to orchestrate terrorist activities. This isn’t entirely reassuring as the group had harboured Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaeda militants during its previous stint in power. Nevertheless, they have now categorically informed Russia, China and Iran about their intentions to steer clear of sponsoring international jihadis.

Overall, the power structure of the new regime bears striking similarities to the one that was adopted between 1996 and 2001. This may not serve as a promising sign. However, Taliban leaders have reportedly made overtures to initiate an internal dialogue with their former rivals and establish an “inclusive Islamic government”. There is an emerging consensus that the Taliban will be receptive to key compromises and deliver on their promises due to pragmatic considerations. An isolationist policy will be futile at a time when the group needs aid to stabilise Afghanistan’s economy. The group may, therefore, adopt a conciliatory approach towards its former enemies as well.

The Taliban will certainly need to tackle their image crisis that precedes them by avoiding contradictory policies.