Days after taking over the country, the Taliban on Thursday declared itself the “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”.
A spokesman for the group’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said in a tweet that the Taliban have decided to establish an Islamic emirate to mark the 102nd anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence from British rule.
The Mujahid said in its first press conference on Tuesday that the new regime would be “positively different” from his 1996-2001 term.
The United States eventually led the invasion of Afghanistan to topple the Taliban as they continued to provide sanctuary for al-Qaeda after the September 11 attacks.
The Mujahid had said that the group does not harbor any enmity with anyone, will support women’s rights under Islamic law and free media.
Translating his speech into English, he said, “We want to remove the factors of conflict. Therefore, the Islamic Emirate has no animosity or animosity towards anyone.” He said that all animosity “is ended”.
“We want to live in peace. We do not want any internal enemy or external enemy,” he said.
The Taliban will not seek retaliation against former soldiers and members of the Western-backed government, the spokesman said, adding the movement was seeking apologies for former Afghan government soldiers as well as contractors and translators working for international forces. .
“The war is over […] (the leader) has forgiven everyone,” he said.
Mujahid said Afghanistan is at a historic phase where men and women of the country are looking to the Taliban for their future.
“I want to assure [them] that after the consultation which will be completed very soon, we will see the formation of a strong, Islamic and inclusive government, Inshallah.”