The Taliban have come out of the closet. A few days after taking over Kabul – and as evacuations of Westerners continue at the airport – they held a press conference on Tuesday. Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid did not hide his joy. “After 20 years, our country has finally been liberated. This is a proud moment.”
By promising a “general amnesty” for civil servants, the Taliban are multiplying their gestures of appeasement towards the population. But many fear that the insurgents will impose the same ultrarigorist version of Islamic law.
The movement says it does not want fighting in the country and has no enemies. “Hostilities must stop.
The movement assures that it does not want any fighting in the country and has no enemies. “Hostilities must stop.”
The press conference was also an opportunity for the Taliban to give details of where the country was going. Not surprisingly, the spokesperson confirmed that women must submit to sharia law. “But we have the right to put our own religious principles first.”
Freedom of the press will also be limited. “They should point out our shortcomings, but they should not oppose us. Islam is very important in our country and the media is taking better account of it.”
Suhail Shaheen also sent a message to the British Prime Minister and the international community to “respect the aspiration of the Afghan people” – he said that “it is their obligation because they have been behind the destruction of Afghanistan in the last 20 years.”
