Can lack of recognition for the Taliban empower ISIS?

Mohamed Youssri                 

The lack of recognition by the international community of the Taliban continues to cause problems to the government of the Afghan movement as a ‘legitimate’ representative of the Afghan people.

The Taliban has not been granted recognition yet, even by its allies.

This gives rise to fears that the Taliban might be obliged to take a different course of action in the coming period.

Since coming to power in Afghanistan in August of this year, the Taliban has been keen on promoting its image as a moderate movement that is more inclined towards peace with others.

In this, the movement parts with its violent past.

Nonetheless, the lack of recognition for the movement may show that some fire might be burning under the ostensible calm of the movement at present.

The international community expresses some reservations towards the Taliban in public, but it secret, it backs the Afghan ruling movement.

UN resolution

On December 1, the United Nations postponed the passing of a resolution deciding the ‘legitimate’ representative of the Afghan people at international organizations.

This means that the Taliban will not be allowed to represent Afghanistan in the United Nations as a recognized government for the Afghan people.

The Taliban seeks international recognition for its rule to obtain aid that would enable it to administer the country’s affairs.

This comes at a time of economic hardships in the country. These hardships make it difficult for the Taliban to honor its pledge of fighting terrorist groups active in Afghanistan.

Response

The Taliban received news of the postponement of the resolution with anger.

Movement Spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, said that the decision is not based on principles and justice because it robs the legitimate rights of the Afghan people.

Nonetheless, Shaheen tried to act in a manner that demonstrates his movement’s respect for the decisions of the UN.

“We hope this right will be handed over in the near future to the representative of the Government of Afghanistan at the UN,” Shaheen wrote on Twitter.