Daily US Times: The Taliban is seeking to convince feared and confused Afghans declaring an “amnesty” across Afghanistan and urged women to join their government Tuesday.
Taliban’s “amnesty” seemingly means that they have changed a day after deadly chaos gripped the main airport of the country as desperate crowds tried to flee their rule.
Following a blitz across the country that saw many cities fall to the Taliban oiffensive without a fight, the insurgents have sought to portray themselves as more moderate than when they imposed a brutal rule in the late 1990s.
But many Afghans still remain skeptical about them.
Older generations in the country remember the Taliban’s ultraconservative Islamic views, which included amputations and public executions, severe restrictions on women as well as stonings, before they were ousted by the US-led invasion that followed Twin Tower attack.
While there were no major reports of fighting or abuse in Kabul as the Taliban now patrol its streets, many residents remain fearful and have stayed home after the insurgents’ takeover saw prisons emptied and armories looted.
Many women have expressed their frustration and fear that the two-decade Western experiment to expand their rights and remake Afghanistan would not survive the Taliban.
Meanwhile, Germany halted development aid to Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover. Such aid is a crucial source of funding for Afghanistan — and the Taliban’s efforts to project a milder version of themselves may be aimed at ensuring that money continues to flow.
The promises of amnesty from a member of the Taliban’s cultural commission named Enamullah Samangani were the first comments on how the group might govern on a national level.
His remarks remained vague, as the Taliban leaders are still negotiating with political leaders of the country’s fallen government and no formal handover deal has been announced.
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