A breakaway faction of the Taliban has elected its own leader, sparking speculation over the unity of the group and its future decisions.
Abdul Ma Niazi, the spokesperson for the High Council of Afghanistan Islamic Emirate, told Al Jazeera that Mullah Mohammad Rasool Akhund, a senior Taliban official, has been chosen as the group’s new “supreme leader”.
Niazi also announced Mullah Mansoor Dadullah and Sher Mohammed Mansoor as deputies to Mullah Rasool.
“We have elected Rasool as our supreme leader following a long and thoughtful discussion with our elders and mujahideens,” Mullah Niazi stated.
“We have a system, and the decision of appointment of a new leader was supposed to be taken with everybody’s consent, but that did not happen.
“However, we urge all our mujahideens to not focus on fighting with each other and stick to our ideologies.”
Aljazeera