Former Advisor to the Ministry of Peace Affairs of Afghanistan
Ülviye FİLİYEVA ERKEÇ
None of the states have recognized the government established in Afghanistan on September 7, 2021 by Taliban. The main issue of the non-recognition can be seen in the coordianation of humanitarian aid towards Afghanistan. This also deepens the humanitarian crisis in the coutnry. International society, on the other hand, demanding from Taliban to establish an inclusive government.
Lately, Iran’s Ambassador to Kabul Bahadur Aminyan has declared that Tahran would not recognize current Afghan administration represente by Taliban, until an inclusive government would be formed. Aminyan has claimed that if an inclusive government be formed, he can convince Tahran to recognize that.
In that context, The International Asia Today is presenting the views of Former Advisor to the Ministry of Peace Affairs of Afghanistan Sayed Hanan Yousofi on developments between the relations of Afghanistan-Iran and on humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Mr. Sayed, as you know, after Taliban’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Emirhan Muttaki’s visit to Tahran, Iran’s Speaker of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Said Hatibzade made a declaration on they are not recognizing the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. Do you think the recognition process will start? If yes, when?
Before answering that question, we should mention about the reasons why Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs made this declaration. Afghanistan’s permanent Taliban government’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Emirhan Muttaki also met with the Leader of Panjshir Movement Ahmad Shah Massoud, and his committee as well. Those meetings have mentioned in Afghanistan media widely. In the news, it was talked about member of Panjshir Movement Commitee Ismail Khan’s nephew was appointed as Permanent Ambassador after Tahran Ambassador has resigned, the Embassy was surrendered by Iran to Taliban and Panjshir Movement also approved that issue. Those gossips made Iran to make that declaration above. To be recognized by international society, Taliban should fulfill the conditions made by the European Union (EU), the United States (US) and regional actors. On Taliban’s side, there is a dilemma on accepting the conditions. None of the states have recognized Taliban administration even they are ruling Afghanistan over five years. The recognition of the government by the other states is important for Taliban administration for empowerment and having the dominance. The biggest burden of non-recognition is also on the Afghan people.
Do you think Taliban administration would establish an inclusive government?
There are differences between Taliban administration and international actors on the definition of “inclusive government.” Taliban has seen the current government as inclusive. According to international definition, in an inclusive government, every people from every ethnic group should take place. Since Taliban administration did not emerged from all ethnic groups, or sections, their definition on “inclusive government” also varies. In all the parts of existing government emerged of the alumni of religional madrasas, Sunni people and generally Pashtuns.
As you know, Taliban officials have met with the leader of Panjshir Movement Massoud and former commander of militia in Herat Khan. Do you think if there is an agreement made after the meetings?
It is known from the press that after the meeting there was not any agreement between them. Even it was believed that those meetings were held without the consent of the two sides, with the insistence of Iran. Before the meetings have been done, Massoud, who was the Speaker of Panjshir Movement and leader of the front, has declared that he will not participate the meetings from his Twitter account, yet after a while he deleted his declaration. In the statements made after the meeting, the Panshir Movement declared that the Taliban did not intend to negotiate and form a comprehensive government. The Taliban side, on the other hand, announced to Massoud and Khan that they could return to the country. It is understood from these two contradictory statements that the parties could not reach a consensus.
How big is the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan right now? Which states and international organizations does the country receive aid from?
In fact, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is not new. Hunger, poverty, war, unemployment and many negativities were also experienced during the old government period. However, with the coming to power of the Taliban, the dimension of the crisis deepened. However, money traffic and import-export continued in Afghanistan when there was a legitimate government. Annually, the United States has given only $4.5 billion in aid. Considering the financial aid provided by other states and organizations, it is possible to say that at least 6-7 billion dollars enter the country annually. Today, civil servant salaries are not paid regularly or are paid incompletely. Soldiers and police officers generally left the country or were dismissed. There has been a great increase in the prices of food and food materials in the country. Even if the Afghan people have investments in banks, there is no chance of cashing that investment. Because there is a shortage of cash in Afghan banks. Considering all these issues and other topics that are not remembered, it can be said that the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is getting deeper day by day.
Recently, organizations such as the United Nations (UN) World Food Program (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have been carrying out aid activities in Afghanistan. The UN also announced that it will provide 20 million dollars weekly aid to the people of Afghanistan. There are also aids sent by states such as Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Iran and China. However, it is not easy to solve or prevent this crisis. The world needs to be more sensitive to the crisis and the Taliban officials need to take the issue seriously.
An interview on our website is the personal opinion of the expert and may not reflect the editorial view of The International Asia Today.