© Screenshot, YouTube
–
The United States has collectively punished the Afghan people by freezing funds from the country’s central bank, refusing to recognize the Taliban government and keeping key figures on the terrorist list.
He said this in a surprising interview with Al Jazeera Sirajudin Hakani, acting Minister of the Interior of Afghanistan.
His very appearance in front of the media is an event. This is Hakani’s first public comment since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan. Hakkani is the leader of a radical network of the same name that has infiltrated the Taliban over the years and has been known for some of the bloodiest attacks on civilians in a decade that have killed Westerners.
Sirajuddin Hakani denies leading the group, saying the aim is to deepen divisions among the Taliban.
The network set up by his father (Jalaluddin Hakani) has won several posts in the new Afghan government. However, the interior minister had not appeared in public: he is among the most wanted terrorists in the United States, and a reward of $ 5 million is being offered for information about him and his whereabouts. The US authorities claim that they have only a photo-robot by description and that they are not completely sure what it looks like.
What else did Hakani say?
And in a recording released by Al Jazeera, his face was blurred for security reasons (specified at his request). He remains on the US terrorist list, even though he is a minister.
Al Jazeera quoted him as saying that the accusations against him were fabricated. According to him, the United States is not implementing the Doha agreement signed with the Taliban in 2020, which subsequently led to the withdrawal, which brought the movement back to power almost two decades after it was overthrown.
He said all US measures against the Taliban and the new government were hurting the entire Afghan people. However, Washington can benefit from co-operation with the movement, which it says holds dozens of Islamic State militants along with former government officials who have committed crimes and acts of terrorism. According to him, the Taliban will bring every criminal to justice.
–
