RASC News Agency: The Taliban leader has instructed the group’s Ministry of Finance to determine the budget for convening a grand assembly (Loya Jirga) in Kabul. Reports suggest that Mullah Hibatullah aims to use this gathering as a means to legitimize the Taliban regime and project an image of the Islamic Emirate as a national and inclusive government to the international community. This is not the first time the Taliban have sought to stage a Loya Jirga to claim popular legitimacy and portray their rule as representative. Now, Mullah Hibatullah sees the timing as favorable for organizing such an event.
Analysts speaking to RASC argue that the Taliban leader intends to fabricate an internal mandate for his rule. However, they assert that this initiative will not grant the Taliban genuine legitimacy, as the majority of Afghanistani citizens oppose the group, and only Taliban members and their limited supporters would participate in the assembly. Renowned political figure Abdul Rab Rasul Sayyaf previously criticized the Taliban’s plan, stating that their proposed assembly would do nothing to address the real concerns of the people. He remarked:
“The Loya Jirga that the Taliban intend to convene where only the Taliban and their handpicked individuals will be present will not alleviate the suffering of the nation. Rather, it will make a mockery of this historical tradition. The old saying applies here: They are the potter, the clay, and the buyer of their own pot. In truth, no one beyond the Taliban will endorse this assembly.” Political analyst Aminullah told RASC that Mullah Hibatullah’s plan is unlikely to yield the desired legitimacy for the Taliban regime. According to him, a Loya Jirga is ineffective in Afghanistan’s current context, particularly when it lacks broad participation.
Some experts believe that, given the complexity of Afghanistan’s political crisis and governance challenges, such assemblies will fail to produce meaningful outcomes. Sayyaf has proposed an alternative approach based on the Islamic principle of Hal wa Aqd (resolution and contract) for forming a legitimate government. Meanwhile, others advocate for a federal system as a more viable solution for Afghanistan’s future.
