KABUL (SW): The Taliban have declared Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada as their new supreme leader on Wednesday.
The statement issued by the Taliban read that the decision to appoint Akhundzada as the leader of Taliban was made after an enormous consultation process among the members of Taliban High Council. Sirajudidn Haqqni and Mullah Muhammad Yaqub have been selected as his deputies.
Confirming Mullah Mansour’s death, the Taliban said that his death would not cause any fraction in Taliban’s ranks. The Taliban have also announced three days of mourning for Mullah Mansour’s death. In the press note, the Taliban have asked supporters to pledge loyalty to Mullah Akhundzada.
Wahid Mujhdah, an expert on political affairs, commenting on Akhundzada’s appointment as the new leader of Taliban, said that in the past, Mullah Akhundzada had not been a dominant figure among the Taliban and he had no outstanding status among them.
Talking about Akhundzada’s organizational capabilities, Mujhdah said that he has served as deputy to Mullah Mansour after Mullah Omer’s death. He added that Akhundzada’s appointments as leader of Taliban indicated the very fact that he has been the most trusted man to Mullah Mansour and he has repute among the Taliban.
Like most political analysts, Mujhda believe that Haibatullah’s appointment as the new leader of Taliban indicates that Taliban are unwilling to come to the negotiation table.
ENDS
