Sunday 31 October 2021
In Islamic school in Kandahar
Taliban chief shows himself publicly for the first time
Taliban leader Achundsada can hardly be seen in public. That’s why there are always rumors that he is dead. But now there is an appearance – in Kandahar.
The secretive head of the Taliban, Haibatullah Achundsada, appeared in public for the first time, according to representatives of the Islamist movement. As the Taliban representatives announced on Sunday, Achundsada turned to supporters in Kandahar in southern Afghanistan the day before. Accordingly, he attended the Islamic school Darul Ulum Hakimah to speak to his “courageous soldiers and students”.
Achundsada was declared head of the Taliban in 2016 after his predecessor, Mullah Akhtar Mansur, was killed in a US drone attack. He is considered withdrawn and has never appeared publicly, not even after the Taliban came to power in Afghanistan in August. This sparked speculation about his role in the new Taliban government and rumors that he was no longer alive.
Achundsada’s appearance on Saturday was accompanied by high security precautions – photos or videos were not made public. However, the Taliban published a ten-minute audio message on their online networks in which Achundsada gave a religious address. The Taliban chief, known as “Amirul Mominin” (commander of the believers), does not comment on politics, but asks for God’s blessing for the Taliban leadership. He prays for “Taliban martyrs”, injured fighters and the success of those in charge of the Islamic Emirates in this “great test”.
Most recently, the Taliban published a written declaration by Achundsada and stressed that the Taliban chief was doing well and that he would soon be publicly showing himself. The top Taliban leader is considered extremely public shy. There is only one photo of him that the Taliban published themselves. There are security reasons for this, for example to avoid an attack by the USA.