Kabul - The African Mirror

Sep

2021

EXCLUSIVE: Afghan central bank drained dollar stockpile before Kabul fell

JOHN O’DONNEL and RUPAM JAIN The Afghan central bank ran down most of its U.S. dollar cash reserves in the weeks before the Taliban took control of the country, according to an assessment prepared for Afghanistan's international donors, exacerbating the current economic crisis. The confidential, two-page brief, written early this month by senior international economic officials for institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, said the country's severe cash shortage began before the Taliban took control of Kabul. It criticised how the central bank's former leadership handled the crisis in the months before the Taliban's conquest, including decisions…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

U.S. says Kabul drone strike killed 10 civilians, including children, in ‘tragic mistake’

WORLD

PHIL STEWART and IDREES ALI A drone strike in Kabul last month killed as many as 10 civilians, including seven children, the U.S. military has revealed, apologizing for what it called a "tragic mistake". The Pentagon had said the August 29 strike targeted an Islamic State suicide bomber who posed an imminent threat to U.S.-led troops at the airport as they completed the last stages of their withdrawal from Afghanistan. Even as reports of civilian casualties emerged, the top U.S. general had described the attack as "righteous". The head of U.S. Central Command, Marine Corps General Frank McKenzie, said that…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Afghan journalists beaten in Taliban detention, editor says

MEDIA FREEDOM

TWO Afghan journalists were beaten in police custody this week after covering a protest by women in Kabul where they were detained by the Taliban, their editor said. Zaki Daryabi, founder and editor-in-chief of the Etilaat Roz newspaper, shared images on social media of two male reporters, one with large, red welts across his lower back and legs and the other with similar marks on his shoulder and arm. Both men's faces were also bruised and cut in the pictures, which were verified by Reuters. When asked about the incident, an acting Taliban minister, who was named in his post…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Kabul diary: A gay Afghan tries to flee the Taliban

LGBT+

THE Taliban are expected to announce a new government in Afghanistan on Friday, two weeks after the Islamist militia seized control of Kabul. The militants have promised a softer brand of rule than the radical form of sharia law they enforced from 1996 until 2001 when they were ousted by U.S.-led forces but concern is growing for LGBT+ Afghans, some of whom are on the run fearing death. Even before the Taliban takeover, LGBT+ people said it was too dangerous to live openly in Afghanistan. But under the Taliban's extreme interpretation of Islam, LGBT+ Afghans say they could be punished with death,…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Rebels hold out in Afghan valley as Taliban set up government in Kabul

WORLD

TALIBAN forces and fighters loyal to local leader Ahmad Massoud fought in Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley, more than two weeks after the Islamist militia seized power, as Taliban leaders in the capital Kabul worked on forming a government. Panjshir is the last Afghan province resisting rule by the Taliban, whose overthrow of the Western-backed government as U.S. and other foreign troops withdrew after 20 years has left the country in chaos. Each side said it had inflicted heavy casualties. "We started operations after negotiation with the local armed group failed," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said. Taliban fighters had entered Panjshir and…

Sep

2021

By The African Mirror

Taliban confront Afghan economy in turmoil, humanitarian crisis

WORLD

AFGHANISTAN’S new Taliban rulers struggled to keep the country functioning on Wednesday after the final withdrawal of U.S. forces, with foreign donors alarmed about an impending humanitarian crisis. Two weeks since the Taliban's sweep into the capital Kabul brought a chaotic end to 20 years of warfare, the Islamist militant group has yet to name a new government or reveal how they intend to govern. In an administrative vacuum, prices have soared and crowds have gathered at banks to withdraw cash. While heavily-armed fighters have imposed control on Kabul, Taliban officials were grappling with keeping banks, hospitals and government machinery…