KABUL: Afghanistan’s Haqqani network militant group has posted a statement on the internet backing the appointment of Mullah Akhtar Mansour as Taliban chief, whose legitimacy has reportedly been challenged internally.

The statement was posted on Sunday on the Taliban’s website quoting the group’s founder, Jalaluddin Haqqani, a day after the militants denied media reports that the militant, believed to be in his 70s, had died.

“We are sure that the new leader Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour is appointed with complete legitimacy and after due consultation and he is the most suitable successor of ... the late Mullah Mohammad Omar Mujahid,” the statement from the Haqqani group, which is allied to the Taliban, said.

“We fully recommend to all the senior and junior in-charge ranks of the Islamic Emirate to pledge their allegiance with him and to fully obey him.


‘Family members of Mullah Omar have not given pledge of allegiance to Mansour’


“Rest assured on my personal behalf and on the behalf of our mujahideen that we will follow him as we have obeyed the late Emir-ul-Momineen (Mullah Omar),” it added.

Formed 30 years ago to counter the Soviet invasion in the 80s, the Haqqani network is blamed for some of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan.

During the last decade, Jalaluddin vanished from the militancy front and transferred the management of his group to his son, Sirajuddin.

Mansour’s two newly named deputies are Sirajuddin and Haibatullah Akhundzada, former head of the Taliban ‘courts’.

Meanwhile, an audio statement, which four sources said was by Mullah Omar’s younger brother Abdul Manan, said the family of the late Taliban emir had not given pledge of allegiance to Mullah Mansour and did not want to make a choice amid differences.

“Mullah Omar during his life had always stressed unity among the mujahideen,” said the statement released on Sunday.

Mullah Mansour reportedly faces opposition within the movement, including from Manan and Omar’s son Yaqoob. While the late leader’s family does not appear to have a formal role in naming a successor, his prestige lends weight to their opinion.

Although the statement did not name Mansour directly, it underlined the obstacles he faces to consolidating his position as successor to Mullah Omar.

The statement said the next leader should be appointed on the recommendations of leading Islamic scholars “and those mujahideen who had laid down the base of the Emirate of Afghanistan through their sacrifices”.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2015

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