Taliban: Can they afford a long pause ?
THE Taliban regime got in power on 15 August 2021 after a long struggle. But, since in power what have they done to improve their position and situation to get recognition? Recognition has become a serious concern for the Taliban.
It has been almost three months in power but recently complete silence on Afghanistan has been witnessed.
It looks like the Taliban have gone into oblivion since American and NATO troops are out of Afghanistan. However, this is the time they should stabilise their government and do whatever the regional countries are demanding of them to recognise their government.
The issue is: can they afford this muted attitude or are they up for something else? If they are muted then it is not acceptable at all but if they are up for something then they need to spell it out.
Indeed the US/West has frozen their $9 Billion assets but yet we do not see any development on the governance side by the Taliban.
What Taliban are thinking and waiting for? Some magic or what? They need to come up with alternate plans and improve the life and financial situation of their regime.
Without finances, they cannot overcome the emerging humanitarian crises that are rapidly developing.
With each passing day, Afghanistan is getting more and more into isolation that will affect their situation not only within Afghanistan but also in the region. Hence, Afghanistan under the Taliban needs to help themselves first and then expect others.
They should provide all basic assurances that the regional and neighbours required of them such as Pakistan need assurance that TTP and BLA should stop terrorism operated from Afghan soil; China expect Afghanistan to assure ETIM out of Afghanistan; Russian need Chuchian assurance while the rest of the world including the regional countries expect a broad-based government and female representation in the government.
The world recognizes the fact that a broad-based government is the best solution to the Afghan political situation.
But, the world also needs to recognize the fact that a broad-based government does not guarantee the inclusion of Hamid Karzai, Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Saleh type of people sitting in the Taliban government.
That goes against the norms of world politics where not a single state has given a chance to the opposition party to sit in the current government.
That debate is out of discussion. But, for Afghanistan stability the inclusion of various ethnic groups is crucial.
Once the Taliban are economically strong, they can include a larger number of ethnic representation in the government.
The Taliban’s slow response sets all directions to get them into a trap that the hostile powers have designed for them to create chaos, confusion and instability in Afghanistan.
Hence, it is in the best interest of the Taliban to do whatever is required as far as possible for their recognition by the neighbours and regional countries.
Taliban need to understand that 90 percent of their problem is sorted when they have friendly neighbours on their side.
Then why should the Taliban wait for any miracle to happen when the miracle is already there in the form of regional states maintaining their embassies such as Turkey, Pakistan, China, Iran, Russia etc.
have not withdrawn their embassies. This gesture looks like the first hint of positive response towards recognising the Taliban’s government.
Taliban needs to capitalize on this valuable opening to build up momentum for regional and international recognition.
Taliban have achieved that goodwill opportunity when regional countries are accepting them and ready to recognize them. It seems to be all necessary groundwork is done then why so much lethargic attitude on the part of the Taliban in expanding their cabinet.
If they have any specific reason(s) for being slow then they need to share with their friends and neighbours at least. It is time for the Taliban to stop relying on miracles alone and come forward with some solid action plan.
Build up their governance mechanism, establish diplomatic terms and frame their economic policies. Once gaining recognition the regional countries will be more than happy to assist Afghanistan in all fronts of mutual interest.
Peace and stability are essential to all of the above and that can only be achieved if Afghanistan is financially stable and recognized.
Since the US has frozen its assets Afghanistan should work on the free flow of trade with its neighbours and regional countries as an emergency measure.
Technically, there seems to be no issue in doing so as Afghanistan is blessed with natural resources, strategic location and friendly neighbourhood. All that is required to prove itself as the gateway to Central Asia, Pakistan and Iran.
Afghanistan has all the potential needed to come out of its current chaotic situation. The geographical position of Afghanistan is one of the biggest assets that can play a pivotal role in making Afghanistan financially self-sustained.
Its mining resources, gemstones, fresh and dry fruits are enough to revive its economic fortune.
They can play a role as a gateway between Central Asia and South Asia since Central Asia is full of energy resources and South Asia is an energy deficient region. There can be a regional energy market with Afghanistan being the hub.
It is in the best interest of the Taliban to unmute themselves, come out of their moribund state of mind, cocoons and provide a roadmap.
They should cash on their transit location and take full advantage of being among friendly neighbourhoods.
But, for that Afghanistan has to help themselves first on a priority basis and then expect others to recognize them.
They should take strict measures and set clear terms that they will not let their soil be used by terrorists.
It is time to prove their words and get recognized in the comity of nations. Afghanistan cannot afford to be on the back foot for this long anymore!
—The writer is Assistant Professor, Department of Government and Public Policy, School of Social Sciences and Humanities, National University of Sciences and Technology.
