Haqqani Admits Taliban Leaders Have Differences on How to Address Problems of Afghanistan

Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's interior minister, admitted that there are differences of opinion among the Taliban leaders on how to address the "problems" of the country.

However, Haqqani immediately emphasised that "everyone's common goal is a stable and united Afghanistan”.

Sirajuddin Haqqani made these statements on Tuesday at a ceremony celebrating the second anniversary of the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan.

The ministries of defence, interior and foreign affairs of the Taliban celebrated this day separately in Kabul.

Haqqani emphasised that the Taliban officials are not looking for government positions and they do not allow anyone to foment discord and corruption.

Despite the denial by many Taliban officials regarding differences among the group’s leaders, this is not the first time that Sirajuddin Haqqani has spoken about the rift and stated his concerns. Over the past few months, Haqqani had criticised the "monopoly of power" in the Taliban government.

In his speech he apparently pointed to the Taliban leaders and stressed that "our unity guarantees our survival”.

The Taliban’s interior minister also asked the international community to "choose engagement" instead of "creating problems" for the Taliban government.

He said that the Taliban defends the territory of Afghanistan, and he is not willing to accept "anyone's slavery”.

The Taliban's interior minister also emphasised that the Taliban have been forgiving and want unity after taking power in Afghanistan and stressed that "there is no excuse to wage war inside the country”.

Several other Taliban officials, including Shahabuddin Delawar, Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum; Abdul Salam Hanafi, Deputy Prime minister; and Mullah Khairullah Khairkhah, Minister of Information and Culture, held a separate celebration ceremony in Kabul.