Hibatullah Akhundzada calls for unity, warns against internal disputes in Taliban ranks

KABUL: Afghan Taliban head and Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has urged officials to avoid discussing ‘unnecessary and futile matters’ amid speculation about differences within the Taliban leadership.

In a statement issued by Afghan Taliban Deputy Spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat on behalf of the supreme leader, Akhundzada made these remarks while addressing a seminar held in Kandahar, which was attended by officials from the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Martyrs and Disabled, the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, as well as representatives from government-run madrasas and orphanages.

The statement said that in his address, Akhundzada stressed that “when a responsibility is entrusted to someone, they should have a clear understanding of their authority and duties.”

He urged officials to “avoid internal disputes, work together and firmly adhere to the teachings of Islam.”

The Taliban chief further said that “Sharia should be given priority in decision-making and the conduct of affairs, and no one should consider themselves above Sharia. Counsel one another towards truth and patience.”

He also emphasised that “time should not be wasted in negligence or unnecessary matters.”

The deputy spokesperson said that scholars and officials attending the seminar “renewed their pledge of allegiance (bay’ah) to the Amir-ul-Momineen (Hibatullah) and assured him of their continued support and protection of the Sharia-based system.”

Hibatullah’s remarks come days after Taliban Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani made comments during a speech that analysts interpreted as indirect criticism of Akhundzada.

Addressing a gathering at the central mosque in Khost province on December 12, Sirajuddin Haqqani had said that “when a government that is established on the trust and love of the people begins to spread fear and terror and intimidate its own people, it ceases to be a government.”

It may be recalled that over the past year, several Afghan analysts and media organisations covering Afghanistan have reported an ongoing power struggle within the Taliban between the faction led by Hibatullah Akhundzada and the Haqqani network.

Last week, Afghan Taliban Deputy Interior Minister Rahmatullah Najib rejected what he termed “false rumours” about internal divisions within the Taliban, alleging that Afghanistan’s “enemies” were attempting to create instability through such claims.

TOLOnews aired excerpts of Rahmatullah Najib’s address at a police passing-out ceremony in Maidan Wardak.

On the occasion, he said that certain elements were spreading rumours about divisions in the leadership of the Islamic Emirate and claiming that Taliban leaders were seeking power and authority.

“I have personally met all the leaders, and by God, none of them can even think of replacing the Amir-ul-Momineen (Hibatullah),” he said.

According to TOLOnews, he further stated that “many enemies are trying to create instability in Afghanistan and exert pressure on the Islamic system. We know who supports them and who is trying to incite the public against the Islamic Emirate. Whatever name they operate under, they should know that the mujahideen of the Islamic Emirate are alert and vigilant.”