New Delhi: Taliban Supreme Leader Haibatullah Akhundzada on Sunday makes his first public appearance in the southern city of Kandahar, AFP reported.
Since taking control over the Taliban in 2016, Akhundzada, Spiritual chief of the Islamic moment, has been a reclusive figure. Even after the Taliban took over the war-torn country of Afghanistan in August 2021, he has remained elusive. His elusiveness has led to speculations regarding his role in the organisation, even to the rumours of his demise.
As per the Taliban officials, Akhundzada on Saturday visited the Darul Uloom Hakimah madrassa to address, "his brave soldiers and disciples."
The event was safeguarded by the tight security and thus no photograph or video has come to the surface, however, a 10-minute audio recording was shared by the Taliban social media accounts.
In the audio recording, the Taliban Supreme Leader is referred to as "Amirul Momineen", or commander of the faithful. He delivers a religious message to his soldiers. He further seeks God's blessing for the Taliban's leadership.
With the notion of serving more as a spiritual head compare to a military commander, Akhundzada audio recording is expected to lead to speculations regarding his plans to take a central role in leading the Taliban's government in Afghanistan.
Who is Akhundzada?
After US Drone Strike in 2016 killed the then Taliban Supreme leader, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, Haibatullah Akhundzada was chosen to succeed him. Till then, Akhundzada was a low-profile religious head in the organisation.
Soon after succeeding Mullah Mansour as Taliban's leader, Akhundzada secured the support of Al-Qaeda's chief Ayman al-Zawahiri, who praised the cleric -- calling him "the emir of the faithful". With the backing of Al-Qaeda's chief, Akhundzada was able to seal his jihadist credentials with long time allies of the Taliban.
After Mullah Mansour's assassination, the Taliban moment was briefly fractured due to the power tussle within the organisation. Akhundzada first job after assuming the position of Supreme leader was to unify the moment once again.
As per the AFP report, Akhundzada is believed to spend most of his time in the southern city of Kandahar.
In his last message on September 7, Akhundzada told the new government to uphold Sharia law while governing the country.
Earlier last week, the Taliban governor of Kandahar, Mullah Yussef Wafa informed AFP that he is in regular touch with his elusive leader.
"We have regular meetings with him about the control of the situation in Afghanistan and how to make a good government," Mullah Yussef was quoted by AFP in its report.
"He gives advice to every leader of Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and we are following his rules, advice, and if we have a progressive government in the future it's because of his advice," he added.
(With inputs from AFP)