Taliban Leader’s Relation With Group’s Foreign Minister Strained, Say Sources

Reliable sources have told Afghanistan International that relations between Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban, and Amir Khan Muttaqi, the group's foreign minister, have soured.

Recently, the Taliban selected Zabihullah Mujahid, the main spokesperson for their government, to attend the third Doha meeting instead of Muttaqi.

Despite the extensive structure of the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which includes not only the minister, but also political and administrative deputies and numerous directors, Mujahid's delegation to Doha is significant.

According to these sources, Mujahid's power is increasing over time, and his office has been relocated to Kandahar.

The sources say that Zabihullah Mujahid is one of Hibatullah’s closest and most loyal associates. He is the only official who moved to Kandahar after the "Taliban's political capital" was changed.

The United Nations delegation is led by the Under-Secretary-General, and many within the organisation do not see Mujahid's assignment as any less significant than Muttaqi’s.

Mujahid holds a position more important than just being the spokesperson in the Taliban regime. Sources indicate that his authority and influence within the Taliban regime exceed those of many of the group's cabinet ministers.

His introduction as the head of the Taliban's negotiating team in the third Doha meeting also signifies Hibatullah's trust in him.

By bypassing the Taliban's diplomatic apparatus, Hibatullah has appointed Mujahid to negotiate with the United Nations and representatives of world countries in Doha.

Taliban spokesperson’s recent statements on the group’s foreign issues demonstrate that he is playing the role of the Taliban’s foreign minister, far beyond that of a spokesperson.

Additionally, in recent days, Mujahid has spoken about the group's foreign relations in his role as the head of the Taliban’s diplomatic apparatus. Recently, in an interview with Tolo News, he expressed appreciation for the Chinese president's remarks on relations with Afghanistan and said that the group's relationship with China is in a very good position.

He also spoke on behalf of the Taliban's diplomatic apparatus regarding elections in Iran, stating that the Taliban and Iran are seeking to expand relations in diplomatic and economic fields and hope that Iran’s future government will continue on the previously outlined path.

However, it remains unclear how far the strained relations between Hibatullah and Muttaqi will go and how much more political and administrative significance Mujahid will gain.