The Taliban have decided to altogether cancel the swearing-in ceremony for their new interim government in Afghanistan in order to avoid ‘wasting resources and money’.
Earlier, the oath ceremony was expected to take place in Afghanistan on September 11 — the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. The Taliban had reportedly invited Russia, Iran, China, Qatar and Pakistan to attend the ceremony of the new government formation in Afghanistan.
PRESSURE FROM ALLIES?
Russia’s TASS news agency reported on Friday that the ceremony was being cancelled as a result of pressure from allies.
Reports stated that the US and its Nato allies were pressurising the Qatari government to advise the Taliban against holding an inauguration celebration altogether, as it would come off as “inhuman”. The event could further jeopardise the Taliban’s prospects of global recognition for their fledgling regime in Afghanistan, something that the hard-line group is keen on securing.
On Friday, the Kremlin stated that Russia would not take part in any way in the new Taliban government’s inauguration ceremony. Earlier, an official had said that Russia would be represented by ambassador-level officials.
STATEMENT FROM TALIBAN SOURCE
On the cancellation, Inamullah Samangani said on Twitter, “The inauguration ceremony of the new Afghan government was cancelled a few days ago. In order not to confuse people further, the leadership of the Islamic Emirate announced the part of the Cabinet, and it has already started to work.”
He is a member of the Afghan government’s cultural commission.