Victorious Taliban focus on governing

All eyes will now turn to how the Taliban handle their first days with sole authority over Afghanistan, as they have reiterated a pledge to bring peace and security to the country after decades of war.

“We want to have good relations with the United States and the world. We welcome good diplomatic relations with them all,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters on Tuesday at the Kabul airport.

Mujahid also insisted Taliban security forces would be “gentle and nice”, adding that their victory was a “lesson for other invaders”.

Authorities from several countries have already begun meeting with the Taliban leadership, the latest being India.

Qatar’s foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, urged the Taliban to combat terrorism after the Western withdrawal, and called for an inclusive government.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said on Wednesday the history of Afghanistan is entering a new chapter, with both opportunities and challenges, difficulties and hope.

“The long-suffering Afghan people are welcoming a new starting point for national peace and reconstruction,” Wang told a regular news conference in Beijing.

While the international community is closely following the formation of the new government, China sincerely hopes that different parties in Afghanistan can meet the aspiration of Afghan people and the expectation of the international community to build an open and inclusive political structure, follow prudent and moderate internal and foreign policies and make a clean break with all terrorist groups and live in harmony with neighboring countries, he said.

He said China will always pursue a friendly policy toward Afghanistan, respect its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, adhere to noninterference in its domestic affairs and continue to provide utmost support for the country to realize peace and reconstruction at an early date.

Wang’s comments came as US President Joe Biden on Tuesday mounted a fierce defense of his exit from the war-torn country as the “best decision for America”.

The US leader spoke after the United Nations warned of a looming “humanitarian catastrophe” in Afghanistan, underscoring the daunting challenges that the Taliban face as they transform from insurgent group to governing power.

Ramiz Alakbarov, the local UN humanitarian coordinator, said $1.3 billion is needed for aid efforts in Afghanistan, only 39 percent of which has been received.

Anxious Afghans, meanwhile, are waiting to see what the new order looks like in the nation of 38 million people that relies heavily on international aid.

The challenges the Taliban face in reviving the economy could give Western nations leverage as they push the group to fulfill a pledge to allow free travel, form an inclusive government and guarantee women’s rights.

‘Positive’ signs

There are few signs of the draconian restrictions the Taliban imposed last time they were in power. Schools have reopened to boys and girls. Women are out on the streets wearing Islamic headscarves — as they always have — rather than the all-encompassing burqa the group required in the past.

When the Taliban last ruled the country, from 1996 to 2001, they banned television, music and even photography, but there’s no sign of that yet. TV stations are still operating normally and the Taliban fighters themselves can be seen taking selfies around Kabul.

On Tuesday, the sound of dance music trickled out of an upscale wedding hall in Kabul, where a celebration was in full swing inside.

Shadab Azimi, the 26-year-old manager, said at least seven wedding parties had been held since the Taliban takeover.

Azimi said a Taliban patrol stops by a couple of times a day, but only to ask if he needs help with security. Unlike the now-disbanded police of the toppled, Westernbacked government, the Taliban don’t ask for bribes, he said.

“Former officials, including police officers, were always asking us for money and forcing us to host their friends for lunches and dinners,” he said. “This is one of the positive points of the Taliban.”