Taliban Lashes Out at International Community for Insufficient Counter-Narcotics Funding

Date: May 15, 2024

The Taliban’s recent crackdown on protests in Afghanistan’s northern province of Badakhshan has escalated tensions, with reports of violence and casualties among protesters. The protests, triggered by the militant group’s stringent enforcement of a ban on illicit drugs, have underscored growing discontent among locals reliant on the drug trade for livelihoods.

The Taliban’s Chief of the Army Staff, Qari Fasihuddin Fitrat, who led the delegation from Kabul tasked with addressing the conflict in Badakhshan, has declared that the issues have been resolved. He told people gathered that “the local population is committed to supporting counter-narcotics forces in the destruction of poppy fields.”

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s chief spokesperson, recently announced on ‘X’ platform formerly Twitter that a resolution has been reached regarding the recent conflict surrounding the eradication of poppy fields in Badakhshan Province. According to Mujahid, a delegation convened in Faizabad city, the capital of Badakhshan province, where they engaged with influential figures and religious scholars, including representatives from the Daraim and Argo districts.

“During this meeting, assurances were provided that the people of Badakhshan will support the efforts to eradicate poppy cultivation and refrain from disrupting the process,” Furthermore, he added that” steps will be taken to address the grievances of those impacted by the recent protests, with a commitment to preventing any future conflicts on this issue.”

Reports indicate that the Taliban has responded to the rallies with excessive force, resulting in the deaths of several protesters and the detention of numerous individuals. Observers view these events as indicative of broader frustration with the Taliban’s unpopular policies and its authoritarian approach to suppressing dissent.

According to Nazifa Haqpal, a British-based Afghan researcher, the unrest serves as a stark warning to the ruling Taliban. Haqpal highlights the failure of the Taliban’s governance model, characterized by authoritarian tactics rather than constructive engagement with Afghan concerns and the Taliban’s despotic governance based on brute force is not working.Nazifa Haqpal remarked, “This is an alarm bell for the ruling Taliban.”

Despite nearly three years in power, the Taliban’s reluctance to address the grievances of Afghan citizens continues to fuel discontent. Haqpal told RadioFreeEroupe that  there is an urgent need for the Taliban to adopt more inclusive and responsive policies to address the root causes of social unrest.

Eskandar Momeni, the director of Iran’s Anti-Drug Headquarters, reiterated concerns about drug trafficking from Afghanistan, emphasizing its continued severity. He asserted that despite efforts, both cultivation and trafficking of drugs in Afghanistan have shown no signs of decrease. “Drug trafficking from Afghanistan to the eastern borders of Iran is associated with insecurity, terrorism, and armed actions. We ask the United Nations to recognize narcotics as a serious threat,” ISNA quoted Momeni as saying.

In response to Eskandar Momeni’s comments, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, Mujahid asserted that the interim government has taken significant measures to eliminate drug cultivation in Afghanistan.

“If they insist that drugs are still prevalent, it demonstrates their lack of understanding. While we have allocated resources to combat smuggling, the countries voicing concerns about drug-related issues have failed to cooperate with Afghanistan and provide alternative livelihoods for our farmers,” stated Mujahid.