Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have dismissed concerns over internal divisions, vowing to remain united despite what they describe as “enemy” attempts to sow discord within the movement. The assurance comes amid growing scrutiny over the group’s leadership cohesion and its controversial policies, particularly regarding women’s rights and education.
In a statement on Monday, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, based in Kandahar, rejected claims of rifts within the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), the term the group uses for its government. He accused external forces of trying to destabilize the Taliban’s leadership but insisted such efforts would fail.
“Enemies dream of sowing division in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,” Mujahid said in an audio address posted on X (formerly Twitter). “To them, I say, listen carefully: you will never achieve your dream of creating divisions among the leaders of the IEA and taking their place.”
Mujahid emphasized that the Taliban’s unity was unshakable, describing it as the foundation of their governance. “Consider it a mere illusion. The IEA remains a united front, and this system is the result of unity. Without unity, nothing would exist,” he said.
The statement follows recent incidents that have raised questions about the Taliban’s internal dynamics. Last month, a senior Taliban leader publicly criticized the group’s policy of banning girls from formal education, a rare display of dissent within the movement. Additionally, this week, Taliban guards reportedly fired shots outside the main United Nations compound in Kabul, killing one guard and highlighting tensions within the ranks.
Despite these incidents, Mujahid insisted that differences of opinion among Taliban leaders do not equate to division or conflict. “These discussions sometimes become public, but this should never be mistaken for division,” he said. “At the end of the day, they unite under one decision. It does not mean they rise against each other, harm one another, or engage in conflict and war.”
The Taliban’s leadership has faced criticism both domestically and internationally for its restrictive policies, particularly its ban on girls’ education beyond the sixth grade and women’s access to universities. Diplomatic and Taliban sources have previously reported years of disagreement among the group’s leaders over these policies, which were reportedly enforced by the Taliban’s supreme spiritual leader, Haibatullah Akhundzada.
In January, acting deputy foreign minister Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, a prominent Taliban figure, publicly stated that restrictions on girls’ and women’s education were not in line with Islamic Sharia law. However, the group has yet to reverse its stance, saying only that it is discussing a plan and conditions for female students to return to school without providing a timeline.
The Taliban’s return to power in 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S.-led foreign forces, has been marked by widespread international condemnation of its human rights record, particularly regarding women’s rights. The group has struggled to gain formal recognition from most countries, with many citing its repressive policies as a key barrier.
As the Taliban continues to consolidate its rule, the question of internal unity remains critical. Analysts and diplomats have warned that any significant divisions within the group could lead to instability in Afghanistan, a country already grappling with economic collapse and humanitarian crises.
For now, the Taliban’s leadership appears determined to project an image of solidarity, even as challenges to its authority and policies persist both at home and abroad.
