It has been almost two weeks since the Taliban 2.0 completed 100 days of power after returning to Kabul. Several international media presented the report cards and performance of the interim government which was formed on the 7th September 2021. The new caretaker government will complete 90 days in the next week. With the formation of a new government and the takeover of power, the struggle has started. Interested allies who have intention of benefit, have joined hands with the new regime in Afghanistan to extent support for example, China, Pakistan and other Islamic ruling countries. Mainly, Western allied countries were totally denied to recognize and support the Taliban 2.0 government in the puzzle of democratic values and human rights question.
The European Union (EU) and other European countries also raised the question of women’s position in the new government and their right to govern. The caretaker government did not include any women in the top governmental ranks. However, the Taliban always cited that according to the Islamic sharia laws, the rights of women will be protected, but they never describe in detail what kind of provision and actions they will take for women in order to protect and provide freedom to them. Currently, the new government is facing challenges e.g., 1) political recognition by the Western power and other regional power, 2) emergency aid, 3) financial aid and 4) internal security. But still, there is no clear roadmap to tackle issues regarding human right, ensuring regional security and resolving local disputes.
After the takeover, the economy of Afghanistan has collapsed and overnight many Afghans became jobless. A report of BBC found people on the street, they were craving for work and were in hope that someone will offer them. A report also covered the bomb attacked on several girls’ schools in the countries. Girls live in fear and are hopeful for their help the school will reopen. Despite the assurance of the Taliban, women still don’t not trust the Taliban that they could go back to work. Security concern includes not only human security, but also social security like jobs, foods and warm clothes. After the decades of war, it seems that life in Afghanistan is not going to be easy soon and the economic crisis is pushing back to chaos. The United States (US) has already frozen almost $ 9.5 billion that belongs to the Afghan central bank.
In addition to the challenges of international recognition of the government, financial crisis and security, the country is facing a worse situation of healthcare collapse. There is a shortage of medical staffs, medicines and equipments in the hospitals. Previously, almost 17% of the facilities were supported by the World Bank, which includes over 2300 health facilities, and 2/3 ran out of important medicines. The COVID-19 threat is already there and the nationwide vaccination is also in the biggest crisis. Just after the formation of the new government, China was the first country who offered humanitarian assistance, which also includes vaccination. China called the Joint Meeting of Afghanistan’s neighboring countries to expand their supports. China’s 200-million-yuan (worth US $ 30.96) humanitarian support includes grains, winter supplies, vaccines and medicines.
However, the Taliban is still seeking support of international recognition and the complete establishment of the Islamic Emirate. In the past 100 days, six regional and international meetings took place in Afghanistan. The engagement of the most interested countries found by the Iranian, India, Pakistan, Russia, China, and G20 leaders hosted meetings on Afghanistan. In this regard, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) also organized special sessions to discuss the issues and situations of Afghanistan. The concern points of all these meetings were centered around the inclusive government, human rights, freedom of expression, the right of education and employment opportunities for women and girls. According to the report, there are 11 countries that opened embassies in the Afghanistan in past 100 days that includes Iran, Pakistan, China, Russia, Turkey, Qatar, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Italy, and the United Arab Emirates.
The report of TRT World says that almost ‘257 media outlets have been closed’ and these are mainly print, radio and television stations. A report also says that ‘more than 70% of Afghani media workers have also been jobless or left the country’. So, there are mostly threats for working under the Taliban regime are mainly human rights defenders, journalists, civil society, NGOs women and girls. These are the prime targets of the Taliban if they talk about the fundamental freedoms and human rights of women and girls. Mullah Nooruddin Turabi, one of the founders of the Taliban and the chief enforcer, cited that perhaps there will be no public trial but he said “Cutting off hands is very necessary for security”.
Until date, there is no any official recognition of Taliban’s interim government in Afghanistan. The high-level leaders of Taliban remain involved to get validity from international communities. It seems like the Afghani people are being isolated from world and living in chaos and dire poverty. The international aid and workers are only hope for them. Can the acting Prime Minister Mohammad Hasan Akhund will able to solve the biggest challenges? Sirajuddin Haqqani’s inclusion in the Interior Minister of Afghanistan has already raised the issues of credibility and trust-building and this is a serious concern for the international community that this guy is listed as a terrorist by the US and international community. The Taliban 2.0 looks softer from outside, but their fundamental belief is exactly same back to the Taliban 1.0. From 21 years back till now, the world has changed and diplomacy has become more advanced with technology. Since the Taliban has no experience to run the government in era of cyber security and artificial intelligent, future of Afghanistan does not look better in the near future and a long road to achieve the goal and tackle all challenges is still there without any changes and hope and the right path is to be chosen ahead. The Taliban 2.0 is still asking for more time to fix these problems and challenges. The future and time will show in which direction the future of the innocent Afghani people is moving. Now, it is ordeal for the Taliban regime and this tough situation is the real examination of the international community and super power.