US conditions for Taliban to be recognized internationally

Mustafa Kamel

The Taliban is racing against time to announce the features of the future political system in the country, as the extremist movement is preparing to launch its new model of governance, stressing that its rule of the country may not be democratic by the precise Western definition, but it will protect the rights of all and has claimed to pledge restraint.

This move coincides with the entry of the United States into the line with the evacuation of all its forces from Afghanistan, while the Taliban seeks to obtain international legitimacy. Washington has stressed that the conditions for obtaining this will be harsh and difficult, and that this will depend on how the movement deals with the Afghan citizens.

New era

Waheedullah Hashemi, a senior Taliban official, revealed some aspects of the political system to be implemented in Afghanistan after the movement’s control of the country. But the supreme decision will most likely be concentrated in the hands of the movement’s leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada.

This administrative system is very similar to what Afghanistan experienced during the Taliban era between 1996-2001, where Hashemi made it clear that Akhundzada’s role would be as head of state, acknowledging that many issues regarding how to run the country have not yet been resolved. He added that Afghanistan certainly will not be a democratic state, but it will be run according to Islamic law.

Regarding dealing with a democratic system inside Afghanistan, Hashemi stressed that there will be no democratic system because there is no ground for it in the country.

“We will not discuss what the political system is that should be followed in Afghanistan, because this matter is clear, and it is Sharia,” Hashemi said, announcing that the Taliban intends to form new national forces that will include its elements and the soldiers in the forces of the collapsed government who wish to join it.

The Taliban have sought to show a more moderate face since their swift seizure of power last week, but they ruled with an iron fist from 1996 to 2001, before they were ousted by US-led forces for harboring the al-Qaeda militants behind the September 11, 2001 attacks.

Harsh conditions

On the other hand, the United States has entered the line of countries that seek to set many conditions for the Taliban to be recognized, as US President Joe Biden said in a speech at the White House that the Taliban is seeking to obtain international legitimacy, considering that the conditions to obtain that will be harsh and difficult, and that will depend on how the movement deals with Afghan citizens, women and girls.

Although the United States was in constant contact with the Taliban and Doha throughout this period, the complete demise of the 300,000-strong Afghan National Forces was not expected, according to Biden, who added, “Suppose that the Afghan National Forces continued fighting and maintaining a presence around Kabul; things would be very different. There was consensus that the Afghan forces would not collapse, would not withdraw, and would not leave.”

The G7 has set five conditions for recognizing the Taliban, stressing that the movement must abide by the conditions in order to obtain global recognition and that the statements of moderation made by the movement are of no value if they are not accompanied by action. French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said during an interview with the French news network BFMTV that the Afghan movement is making many efforts in an attempt to obtain international recognition, but it is not enough to issue statements here and there regarding respect for women’s rights, but what is required is action upon these statements.

Le Drian revealed the five conditions that the Taliban must abide by in order to be recognized internationally, foremost of which is that they allow the exit of Afghans who want to leave the country out of fear, and the movement must also prevent the country from becoming a haven for terrorism, which they must prove in very concrete way. They must also allow humanitarian access to Afghan territory and must respect citizen’s rights, especially the rights of women. The minister noted that the movement states this, but must now do so, adding that in the end, the Taliban must form a transitional government.