Afghanistan Peace CampaignOfficials of the Islamic Emirate have said that the interim government is directly engaging with other countries, which, in their view, amounts to recognition.
The year 2024 proved to be politically tumultuous for the Islamic Emirate, with key issues such as the fate of the constitution and the interim cabinet remaining as unclear as in previous years.
International recognition of the Islamic Emirate also remained unresolved. Notable developments included new decrees issued by the Emirate’s leadership and global conditions set for normalizing relations with Afghanistan under the Islamic Emirate’s rule.
Officials of the Islamic Emirate have said that the interim government is directly engaging with other countries, which, in their view, amounts to recognition. Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, the Deputy Prime Minister for Political Affairs, previously said: “At the conference of Islamic states, the Islamic Emirate was invited and representatives of the Islamic Emirate were present there, so what does recognition mean?”
Recognition is a crucial matter that, if achieved, could bring widespread changes in political and economic relations for the Islamic Emirate. However, the international community has made recognition conditional on steps such as improving human rights (especially women’s rights), forming an inclusive government, initiating national dialogue, and combating terrorism and drug trafficking.
On November 15, the US Deputy Spokesperson for the State Department said: “As long as the Taliban continues to essentially hold back 50 percent of its population from fully integrating in society, fully participating in society, it certainly is not going to be able to reach the international recognition that we know that they – that they’re seeking.”
The interim government has labeled these demands as interference in Afghanistan’s internal affairs and has consistently urged the international community to refrain from meddling.
Despite this, Islamic Emirate officials repeatedly called on the international community to release Afghanistan’s frozen assets and lift sanctions on more than 24 Islamic Emirate officials.
In July, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “The issue of an inclusive government is an internal matter; Afghans will make decisions with consideration of their national interests in any case. Neighboring countries, as well as distant and nearby countries, should discuss issues related to their relations with Afghanistan.”
Domestically, the fate of drafting a new constitution remains uncertain. Abdul Karim Haidar, Deputy Minister for Justice, at an event in Kabul said that no directive has been issued by the leader of the Islamic Emirate to draft a constitution.
The leader of the Islamic Emirate issued several decrees this year. According to the Ministry of Justice, seven laws have been approved since the Islamic Emirate came to power:
Law on the Duties and Authorities of the Directorate for Monitoring and Implementation of Decrees and Orders
Law on Preventing Land Grabbing and Recovering Seized Lands
Law For Hearing Complaints
Law on Collecting and Preventing Begging
Law on Money Services and Currency Exchange
Law on Industrial Zones
Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice
The Law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, comprised of four chapters and 35 articles, was enacted on August 22. It covers various issues, including women’s hijab, men’s clothing, media regulations, and how ministry inspectors interact with the public. This law sparked widespread reactions.
Other decrees issued by the leader of the Islamic Emirate this year included regulations on the distribution of weapons, combating human trafficking, addressing court rulings from the previous government related to Islamic Emirate-affiliated individuals, and forming a special court to process pension payments. The latter decree was warmly welcomed by pensioners.
Zarifa, one of the pensioners, told TOLOnews after the decree: “This was good news, and we are very happy. We hope our pensions are paid soon, especially during winter when we have little at home.”
The interim cabinet continued its work throughout the year. However, it remains to be seen what the Islamic Emirate’s plans will be in the upcoming year regarding forming a permanent cabinet and other key matters.