Anti-Taliban Leaders: Taliban Lack Domestic and International Legitimacy

In a virtual meeting commemorating Martyrs’ Week, senior anti-Taliban leaders emphasized the group’s lack of legitimacy both within Afghanistan and internationally. Ahmad Massoud, leader of the National Resistance Front, stated that the Taliban have failed to gain domestic legitimacy and that countries’ relations with the group are based solely on tactical interests.

Former Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani described the Taliban as a group despised at the international level. Ismail Khan, a prominent jihadi commander, likened Afghanistan under Taliban rule to a large prison and stressed the need for national cooperation and unity to liberate the country.

Atta Mohammad Noor accused the Taliban of increasing ethnic divisions, while Mohammad Mohaqiq warned that if the Taliban refuse to negotiate, the opposition will enter a military phase. Marshal Abdul Rashid Dostum called for the formation of a “parallel” or government-in-exile.

Despite the international community’s refusal to recognize the Taliban, the group has managed to expand its relations with regional powers such as China and Russia. The Taliban continue to insist on their position that security and peace have been established in Afghanistan and see no need for dialogue.

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