Supreme Leader of Afghanistan explained

Post:Supreme Leader
Body:the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Insignia:Arms of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.svg
Insigniacaption:Emblem of Afghanistan
Incumbent:Hibatullah Akhundzada
Incumbentsince:15 August 2021
In exile from 25 May 2016
Department:Leadership of the Islamic Emirate
Style:
Type:Supreme leader
Status:Head of state
Member Of:Leadership Council
Residence:None official[2]
Seat:Kandahar
Appointer:Leadership Council
Termlength:Life tenure
Constituting Instrument:1998 dastur
Precursor:President of Afghanistan
Inaugural:Mullah Omar
Formation: (current form)
(originally)
Salary: monthly
Deputy:Deputy Leader

The Supreme Leader of Afghanistan[3] (Pushto; Pashto: د افغانستان مشر|Də Afġānistān Damshīr, رهبر افغانستان|Rahbar-e Afghānistān), officially the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan[4] [5] and also styled by his religious title (Arabic,), is the absolute ruler, head of state, and national religious leader of Afghanistan, as well as the leader of the Taliban.[6] [7] [8] The supreme leader wields unlimited authority and is the ultimate source of all law.[9] [10]

The first supreme leader, Mullah Omar, ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 before his government was overthrown by the United States and he was forced into exile. The current supreme leader is Hibatullah Akhundzada, who assumed office in exile during the Taliban insurgency on 25 May 2016, upon being chosen by the Leadership Council, and came to power on 15 August 2021 with the Taliban's victory over U.S.-backed forces in the 2001–2021 war. Since coming to power, Akhundzada has issued numerous decrees that have profoundly reshaped government and daily life in Afghanistan by implementing his strict interpretation of the Hanafi school of Sharia law.

The supreme leader appoints and manages the activities of the prime minister and other members of the Cabinet, as well as judges and provincial and local leaders.

History

The office was established by Mullah Mohammed Omar, who founded both the Taliban and the original Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in the 1990s. On 4 April 1996, in Kandahar, followers of Omar bestowed upon him the title Amir al-Mu'minin (أمير المؤمنين), meaning "Commander of the Faithful", as Omar had donned a cloak taken from its shrine in the city, asserted to be that of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.[11] [12] The Taliban seized control of Kabul on 27 September 1996, ousting President Burhanuddin Rabbani and installing Omar as the country's head of state.[13]

The Taliban views the Quran as its constitution. However, it approved a dastur, a document akin to a basic law, in 1998, which proclaimed Omar supreme leader but did not outline a succession process. In 1996 interview, Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil stated that the Amir al-Mu'minin is "only for Afghanistan", rather than a caliph claiming leadership of all Muslims worldwide.[14] [15]

Following the September 11 attacks and the United States invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Omar was deposed and went into hiding in Zabul Province, and the presidency was restored as Afghanistan's head of state. The Taliban reorganized for an insurgency in 2002, based out of Pakistan. They continued to claim Omar as their supreme leader, though he had little involvement in the insurgency, having turned over operational control to his deputies.[16] Though the Taliban continued to maintain the office of the supreme leader in exile, it had no diplomatic recognition.

Following its offensive in 2021, the Taliban recaptured Kabul on 15 August and restored the supreme leader as Afghanistan's head of state.[17] [18] [19]

Selection

The supreme leader is appointed by the Leadership Council.[20]

Powers and duties

Under Omar, the leader held absolute power, and the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia was entirely his decision.

Under the 1998 draft constitution of the first Islamic Emirate, the Leader of the Faithful would appoint justices of the Supreme Court.[21]

Under the current government however, the Emir has final authority on political appointments, as well as political, religious, and military affairs. The Emir carries out much of his work through the Rabbari Shura, or the Leadership Council (which he chairs[22]), based in Kandahar, which oversees the work of the Cabinet, and appointment of individuals to key posts within the cabinet.[23]

However, in a report from Al Jazeera, the Cabinet has no authority, with all decisions being made confidentially by Akhundzada and the Leadership Council.[24] The supreme leader receives the highest government salary in the reinstated Islamic Emirate, at monthly.[25]

List of supreme leaders

Status
<--! rowspan=2Portrait-->Name
Additional position(s) heldTerm of office (including in exile)
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
1-->
Mohammed Omar
–


[26] [27]
2<---->
Akhtar Mansour
First Deputy Leader (2010–2015)[28] [29] [30]
–
3<--DO NOT ADD PHOTO HERE, PER WP:NFLISTS rowspan=2-->
Hibatullah Akhundzada		First Deputy Leader (2015–2016) and
Chief Justice (2001–2016)		[31] [32]
–
Incumbent

Timeline

Deputy Leader

Post:Deputy Leader
Body:the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
Insignia:Arms of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.svg
Insigniacaption:Emblem of Afghanistan
Department:Leadership of the Islamic Emirate
Status:Deputy head of state
Member Of:Leadership Council[33]
Reports To:Supreme Leader[34]
Seat:Kandahar (Yaqoob)[35]
Appointer:Supreme Leader
Termlength:At the pleasure of the supreme leader
Precursor:Vice President of Afghanistan
Formation: (current form)
(originally)
Inaugural:Mohammad Rabbani[36]
Succession:Acting (in order of deputy rank)[37]

The deputy leader of Afghanistan, officially the deputy leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Pushto; Pashto: د افغانستان د اسلامي امارت مرستیال,[38] معاون امارت اسلامی افغانستان[39]), is the deputy emir of the Taliban, tasked with assisting the supreme leader with his duties.[40] All three supreme leaders of the Taliban have had deputies, with the number of deputies fluctuating between one and three.[41] Akhundzada has three deputies: Sirajuddin Haqqani, Mullah Yaqoob, and Abdul Ghani Baradar. Haqqani was first appointed as a deputy leader by Akhtar Mansour in 2015, and was retained by Akhundzada. Upon assuming office in 2016, Akhundzada appointed Yaqoob, a son of Mullah Omar, as a second deputy. Akhundzada appointed Baradar as a third deputy in 2019.[42]

Since the 2021 return of power to the Taliban, Akhundzada has grown more isolated and he has primarily communicated through his three deputies rather than holding meetings with other Taliban leaders. The deputies' exclusive access to Akhundzada has grown their power.[43]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Acting Minister of Education Meets Esteemed Amir-ul-Momineen . Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – Voice of Jihad . 11 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220208142337/https://alemarahenglish.af/?p=50028 . 8 February 2022 . 8 February 2022 . live . Kandahar.
  2. News: Constable . Pamela . Pamela Constable . Taliban moving senior officials to Kandahar. Will it mean a harder line? . 13 June 2023 . . 4 June 2023.
  3. News: Afghan supreme leader orders full implementation of sharia law . 27 November 2022 . . . 14 November 2022 . Kabul.
  4. Web site: Message of Amir-ul-Mumineen Sheikh-ul-Hadith Hibatullah Akhundzadah, the Supreme Leader of IEA on the Arrival of Eid-ul-Fitr – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan . 29 April 2022 . 2022-04-29 . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2022-08-08 . IEA leader gives order to round up Kabul beggars, provide them with jobs Ariana News . 2022-08-12 . www.ariananews.af . en-US.
  6. News: Ramachandran . Sudha . What Role Will the Taliban's 'Supreme Leader' Play in the New Government? . 5 March 2022 . . 10 September 2021.
  7. News: Faulkner . Charlie . Spiritual leader is Afghanistan's head of state — with bomb suspect set to be PM . 6 March 2022 . . 3 September 2021.
  8. News: Dawi . Akmal . Unseen Taliban Leader Wields Godlike Powers in Afghanistan . 13 April 2023 . . 28 March 2023.
  9. Web site: T. S. Tirumurti . Letter dated 25 May 2022 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) addressed to the President of the Security Council . . 2 May 2023 . 26 May 2022.
  10. News: Kraemer . Thomas . Afghanistan dispatch: Taliban leaders issue new orders on law-making process, enforcement of court orders from previous government . 1 May 2023 . . 27 November 2022.
  11. News: Weiner . Tim . Man in the News; Seizing the Prophet's Mantle: Muhammad Omar . 7 March 2022 . . 7 September 2001.
  12. Web site: Kandahar residents feel betrayed. www.sfgate.com. 19 December 2001 . 2021-08-17.
  13. News: Afghan forces routed as Kabul falls . 12 May 2023 . . 27 September 1996.
  14. Web site: Osman . Borhan . Gopal . Anand . Taliban Views on a Future State . . 26 November 2022 . July 2016 . 16 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210816135549/https://cic.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/taliban_future_state_final.pdf . dead .
  15. Web site: Ahmad . Javid . The Taliban's religious roadmap for Afghanistan . . 26 November 2022 . 26 January 2022.
  16. Web site: Dam . Bette . The Secret Life of Mullah Omar . Zomia Center . 11 May 2023 . 2019 . 6 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221006050701/http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bf5692f4611a019a7c69ea6/t/5c77f4fdeef1a10b17f2abda/1551365379168/Secret+Life+of+Mullah+Omar-FINAL3.pdf . dead .
  17. News: Mistlin . Alex . Sullivan . Helen . Harding . Luke . Harding . Luke . Borger . Julian . Mason . Rowena . 15 August 2021 . Afghanistan: Kabul to shift power to 'transitional administration' after Taliban enter city – live updates . The Guardian . 15 August 2021 . 0261-3077. 15 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815103044/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/aug/15/afghanistan-taliban-close-in-on-kabul-as-last-government-stronghold-in-north-falls. live.
  18. Web site: Afghanistan: Heavy fighting ongoing on the outskirts of Kabul as of early Aug. 15; a total blackout reported in the city. 15 August 2021. 15 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815010510/https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/513486/afghanistan-heavy-fighting-ongoing-on-the-outskirts-of-kabul-as-of-early-aug-15-a-total-blackout-reported-in-the-city. live.
  19. Web site: 15 August 2021 . Taliban officials: there will be no transitional government in Afghanistan . 15 August 2021 . Reuters. 15 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210815160956/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-officials-there-will-be-no-transitional-government-afghanistan-2021-08-15/. live.
  20. News: Burke . Jason . The Taliban leaders in line to become de facto rulers of Afghanistan . 24 January 2022 . . 17 August 2021.
  21. Web site: Beyond Republic or Emirate: Afghan Constitutional System at Crossroads. www.iconnectblog.com. 2021-08-17. 17 August 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210817000644/http://www.iconnectblog.com/2021/04/beyond-republic-or-emirate-afghan-constitutional-system-at-crossroads/. dead.
  22. Web site: Three-day meeting of the Leadership Council of Islamic Emirate headed by esteemed Amir-ul-mumineen held in Kandahar . . 17 June 2022 . 31 August 2021.
  23. Web site: What Role Will the Taliban's 'Supreme Leader' Play in the New Government?. 2021-09-24. thediplomat.com. en-US.
  24. Web site: Latifi. Ali M.. Taliban divisions deepen as hardliners seek spoils of war. 2021-09-24. www.aljazeera.com. en.
  25. News: Hakimi . Amina . Senior Officials' Salaries Reduced: MoF . 21 February 2022 . . 5 December 2021.
  26. News: Afghanistan: Who's who in the Taliban leadership . 12 January 2022 . . 7 September 2021.
  27. News: CNN Umair . Mullah Omar: Life chapter of Taliban's supreme leader comes to end . 17 August 2021 . ireport.cnn.com . CNN . 29 July 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160305174422/http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1260772 . 5 March 2016 . Faisalabad, Pakistan.
  28. News: Goldstein . Joseph . Taliban's New Leader Strengthens His Hold With Intrigue and Battlefield Victory . 23 January 2022 . . 4 October 2015.
  29. News: Taliban sources - Afghan Taliban appoint Mansour as leader . 24 January 2022 . . 30 July 2015.
  30. News: Taliban resignation points to extent of internal divisions in leadership crisis . 25 January 2022 . . . 4 August 2015 . Kabul.
  31. News: Afghan Taliban announce successor to Mullah Mansour . . 25 May 2016 . 25 May 2016 . 18 April 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180418040519/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36375975 . live .
  32. News: Mellen . Ruby . The Taliban has decided on its government. Here's who could lead the organization. . 28 November 2021 . . 3 September 2021.
  33. Jones . Seth G. . Afghanistan's Future Emirate? The Taliban and the Struggle for Afghanistan . CTC Sentinel . December 2020 . 13 . 11 . 11 February 2022 . . 11 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220211092128/https://ctc.usma.edu/afghanistans-future-emirate-the-taliban-and-the-struggle-for-afghanistan/ . dead .
  34. News: Sayed . Abdul . Analysis: How Are the Taliban Organized? . 19 April 2022 . . 8 September 2021 . This leadership structure remains in place, with Shaikh Hibatullah Akhundzada serving as supreme leader, aided by the three deputies.
  35. News: Inskeep . Steve . Qazizai . Fazelminallah . We visited a Taliban leader's compound to examine his vision for Afghanistan . 8 May 2023 . . 5 August 2022 . Kandahar.
  36. Web site: Elias . Barbara . The Taliban Biography – Documents on the Structure and Leadership of the Taliban 1996-2002 . . . 17 June 2022.
  37. News: O'Donnell . Lynne . Khan . Mirwais . Taliban Leadership in Disarray on Verge of Peace Talks . 22 May 2022 . . 29 May 2020.
  38. Mujahid . Zabiullah . Zabiullah Mujahid . Zabehulah_M33 . 1099873168934817792 . 24 February 2019 . fa:د اسلامي امارت مرستیال او د سیاسي دفتر مشر محترم ملاعبدالغني برادر پخیر سره دوحې ته ورسید . The Deputy Leader of the Islamic Emirate and Head of the Political Office, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Pakhir arrived in Doha. . ps . 22 April 2022.
  39. Shaheen . Suhail . Suhail Shaheen . suhailshaheen1 . 1263244063656030209 . 20 May 2020 . fa:معاون امارت اسلامی محترم ملا برادر اخند و هیئت همراهش با داکتر زلمی خلیلزاد و هیئت همراهش چند نشست پی هم نمود . The Deputy Leader of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Baradar Akhund, and his accompanying delegation met several times with Dr. Zalmai Khalilzad and his accompanying delegation. . prs . 22 April 2022.
  40. News: Seldin . Jeff . How Afghanistan's Militant Groups Are Evolving Under Taliban Rule . 22 April 2022 . . 20 March 2022 . Haqqani has a $10 million bounty on his head from the U.S. government and works as a deputy emir of the Taliban.
  41. Ruttig . Thomas . Have the Taliban Changed? . CTC Sentinel . March 2021 . 14 . 3 . 11 February 2022 . . 11 February 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220211081040/https://ctc.usma.edu/have-the-taliban-changed/ . dead .
  42. News: Sayed . Abdul . Analysis: How Are the Taliban Organized? . 23 January 2022 . . 8 September 2021.
  43. CNN International PR . CNN International . cnnipr . 1526231860866580483 . 16 May 2022 . In an exclusive interview CNN's chief international anchor @amanpour spoke with one of the Taliban's top leaders Sirajuddin Haqqani . . . 6 May 2023.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Supreme Leader of Afghanistan".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.