Taliban announces new Afghan government

The Taliban has announced the names of several members of a new caretaker government in Afghanistan led by Mohammad Hasan Akhund.

Abdul Ghani Baradar will be the deputy leader and Sirajuddin Haqqani, son of the founder of the Haqqani network, has been named as interior minister, chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said at a news conference in Kabul on Tuesday.

“The cabinet is not complete, it is just acting,” spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a press conference at the Government Information and Media centre in Kabul.

“We will try to take people from other parts of the country,” he added.

The list for the interim government contains 33 names. Some of the key appointments are outlined below:

• Taliban veteran, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund – acting prime minister
• Taliban co-founder, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar – acting deputy prime minister
• Taliban negotiator in Doha, Amir Khan Muttaqi – acting foreign minister
• Abas Stanikzai – acting deputy foreign minister
• Son of Taliban founder and late supreme leader Mullah Omar, Mullah Yaqoob – acting defense minister
• Leader of the feared Haqqani network, Sirajuddin Haqqani – acting interior minister

In response to a question, the Taliban spokesman clarified once more that this is an “acting” government will not be the future government.