RASC News Agency: Reliable sources report that the relationship between Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s leader, and Amir Khan Muttaqi, the group’s foreign minister, has deteriorated. These sources indicate that Amir Khan Muttaqi no longer holds the same value for Mullah Haibatullah, leading to a cooling of their relations.
The Taliban appointed their chief spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, to attend the Third Doha Conference instead of Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi. Sources suggest this decision is a reason for the strained relationship. Despite the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs being a vast apparatus with a minister, political deputies, administrative deputies, and numerous directors, the selection of Mujahid for Doha is significant.
Sources note that Zabihullah Mujahid’s power has been increasing, especially since his office was relocated to Kandahar. Mujahid is considered very close and loyal to Mullah Haibatullah. He is the only official who moved with the “Taliban’s political capital” shift to Kandahar. The UN delegation, led by the Deputy Secretary-General, and many within the organization, do not view Mujahid’s appointment as less significant than that of Muttaqi.
Mujahid holds a more substantial position than just a spokesperson in the Taliban regime. Sources state that his authority and influence surpass those of many cabinet ministers within the group. His designation as the head of the Taliban’s negotiating team at the Third Doha Conference also signifies Mullah Haibatullah’s trust in Zabihullah Mujahid. By bypassing the Taliban’s diplomatic apparatus, the leader has appointed Mujahid to engage with the United Nations and representatives of world countries in Doha, traditionally the role of the foreign minister.
Recent comments by Mujahid on the Taliban’s foreign affairs suggest he is acting beyond his spokesperson role, effectively serving as the Taliban’s foreign minister. In recent days, Mujahid has spoken about the group’s foreign relations in his capacity as the head of the Taliban’s diplomatic machinery. Today, in an interview with TOLOnews, he appreciated the Chinese President’s remarks on relations with Afghanistan, stating that the group’s relations with China are in an excellent state.
Speaking on behalf of the Taliban’s diplomatic apparatus, Mujahid commented on Iran’s elections today, noting that the Islamic Emirate and the Islamic Republic of Iran seek to expand diplomatic and economic relations, hoping the future Iranian government will continue on this path. It remains unclear how far the rift between Mullah Haibatullah and Muttaqi will go and how much more political and administrative significance Mujahid will gain.
