Saturday 1 August 2015

New Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour calls for unity

Mullah Mansour was named as the new leader on Thursday, after the death of former head Mullah Omar was confirmed.
Fire and smokes rise at the site of a suicide attack during clashes with Taliban fighters in front of the Parliament, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Monday, June 22, 2015
The Taliban have vowed to continue with attacks such as the one that hit the Afghan parliament in June
The new leader of the Afghan Taliban, Mullah Akhtar Mansour, has called for unity in an audio message, saying that the group will continue fighting.
But a Taliban spokesman told the BBC he had not been appointed "by all Taliban", going against Sharia law.
The audio message said fighters should unite as "division in our ranks will only please our enemies".
It also said that the Taliban would "continue our jihad until we bring an Islamic rule in the country".
The 30-minute recording - in which a crying baby is heard at some points - was released to journalists by Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid on Saturday.
Some Taliban figures have accused pro-Pakistani circles of imposing Mullah Mansour, who is known for his support for peace talks, on them.
But in the audio message, Mullah Mansour dismissed peace talks as "propaganda campaigns by the enemy".
At least one Taliban faction would have preferred Mullah Omar to be succeeded by his son.
Another Taliban spokesman, Mullah Abdul Manan Niazi, said those who elected Mullah Mansour had not followed the rules.
"According to Islamic rule and principles, when a leader dies, a Shura (council) is called, then its leader is appointed," he added.
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Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour (L) and Mullah Omar
Many are unhappy that Mullah Mansour (l) has been chosen to succeed Mullah Omar

Analysis - Inayatulhaq Yasini, BBC Pashto

It is the first time we have seen such differences among the group's leadership.
Finding a unifying leader like Mullah Omar will be almost impossible for the Taliban, so a split is likely.
Mullah Mansour's supporters have dispelled reports that military commander Qaum Zakir is opposing his election.
Zakir is an ex-Guantanamo prisoner, who has a base of support in Helmand province and will play a crucial role in the group's future.
The side which manages to gains the support of military commanders will win the majority share of Mullah Omar's movement.
Taliban leaders 'not consulted'

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