Taliban’s Leader Refuses To Meet UN Special Coordinator, Says Sources
Reliable sources told Afghanistan International that the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada refused to meet Feridun Sinirlioğlu, the UN Special Coordinator, and did not allow him to travel to Kandahar.
According to sources, following the decision of Akhundzada, his advisors met Sinirlioglu in Kabul.
Our sources said that this senior UN official planned to meet the Taliban leader in Kandahar during his second trip to Afghanistan, however, Akhundzada not only refused to meet with him, but also did not allow him to travel to Kandahar.
Sources added that following this decision of the Taliban leader, eight of his senior advisers went to Kabul from Kandahar and met Sinirlioğlu at one of the UN offices in Kabul.
Jan Mohammad Madani, Mullah Shamsullah, Ahmadjan Omari, Abdul Hadi Torab, Mullah Mohammad Mujahid, Mullah Mohammad Rasool and Akhtar Mohammad Zafarani are among the advisers of the Taliban leader who met Sinirlioglu in Kabul.
According to sources, the meeting took place on October 22 and 23.
Human rights, women's education, security and recognition of the Taliban regime and the international community's cooperation with the group were among the main topics of their discussions.
According to sources, UN officials have said that the Taliban leaders in Kabul do not have the authority to make decisions and it is better to discuss the issues with the Taliban leadership in Kandahar.
The UN Special Coordinator has met with a number of Taliban officials in Kabul in recent days.
Mullah Hibatullah Akhundzada resides discreetly in Kandahar and avoids public appearances or meetings with foreign officials.
