US State Department Expresses Concern Over Taliban Including Only Members of Its Organization in Cabinet List

"Different from Expectations of the Unified Government... No Women Included"
Including FBI Sanctioned Personnel... "Some Actions Are Concerning"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. Department of State has expressed concerns over the list of the interim government cabinet announced by the Afghan armed group Taliban. It criticized the appointments, which consist solely of Taliban members rather than the inclusive government promised to the international community, the absence of any female officials, and the fact that individuals under U.S. sanctions have been placed in key positions.

According to the Associated Press on the 7th (local time), the U.S. Department of State issued a statement saying, "We note that the cabinet list announced by the Taliban includes only Taliban or affiliated members, with no women at all," and added, "Some of the affiliations and backgrounds are also concerning." The State Department further stated, "This appointment is understood as the Taliban presenting an interim government cabinet. We will evaluate them based on their future actions."

Earlier that day, the Taliban revealed the interim government cabinet list with religious leader Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund as the acting prime minister. Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's second-in-command who was expected to become the head of government, will serve as deputy prime minister in the new government. Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob, son of Taliban founder Muhammad Omar, was appointed as the Minister of Defense.

In particular, the appointment of Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of the Taliban-affiliated armed group Haqqani Network, as Minister of Interior sparked controversy in the U.S. The Haqqani Network is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. Department of State, and Sirajuddin Haqqani is listed as a terrorist with a multi-million dollar bounty by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Along with criticism of the Taliban’s cabinet appointments, the U.S. Department of State urged the Taliban to guarantee safe passage for those wishing to leave Afghanistan. The State Department stated, "We will ensure that the Taliban honors its commitment to allow aircraft ready to depart Afghanistan for agreed destinations, as well as safe passage for foreigners and Afghans with travel documents." It added, "We reiterate our clear expectation that the Taliban guarantees Afghan soil will not be used to threaten other countries and that humanitarian access to support Afghans must be permitted."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.