Protests grow in Afghanistan as new government begins work

The Taliban’s interim government, drawn exclusively from loyalist ranks, began work on Wednesday with established hardliners in all key posts and no women, despite earlier promises of an inclusive government for all Afghans.

The announcement of the new Afghan government on Tuesday was a key step in the Taliban’s consolidation of power over the country, following their sweeping military offensive after US troops began withdrawing.

Protests broke out in cities across the country following the announcement of the new government.

Hundreds marched in Herat on Tuesday resulting in the deaths of two people, while a small rally in Kabul was quickly dispersed by armed Taliban forces on Wednesday.

The Taliban began filling top positions in the new Government on Tuesday, including an associate of the group’s founder as premier and a wanted man on a US terrorism list as interior minister.

None of the government appointees were women.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that the group “will try to take people from other parts of the country,” adding that it was an interim government, AFP reports.

Mujahid also warned the public against taking to the streets, adding that journalists should not cover any of the protests.

The group’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada released a statement saying that the new government would work towards “upholding Islamic rules and sharia law.”

While the Taliban promised to be more tolerant than their rule in the late 1990s, Afghans remain anxious as the feared Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice was reinstated.

The US expressed concern on Tuesday about the new Afghan government’s members, saying it is in “no rush” to recognize it, but adding that it would judge it by its actions.

“We note the announced list of names consists exclusively of individuals who are members of the Taliban or their close associates and no women. We also are concerned by the affiliations and track records of some of the individuals,” a State Department spokesperson said.

Qatar, the main intermediary between the Taliban and the international community, reiterated Washington’s position, adding that the group has shown “pragmatism” as of late.

The European Union for its part said on Wednesday that the “caretake” government fails to honor the vows presented by the Taliban to include different groups.