Mullah Akhtar Mansour is believed to have stolen vast sums of money from the terrorist group’s coffers in an apparent attempt to protect himself while his men were being killed in Afghanistan, according to U.S. Gen. John Nicholson.The revelations regarding Mansour’s corruption exemplify a larger problem within Taliban ranks as leaders continue to skim money from the organization to live in "sanctuary," Nicholson told news hounds during a briefing over Skype. In Mansour’s case, stealing money did little to save him, as he was killed in a U.S. drone strike May 21.
"We also see evidence that Mansour had misdirected a lot of the Taliban revenues for his own purposes," said Nicholson. "And in fact, since his death, because of his tight control over Taliban finances ... the Taliban are having trouble getting control of their own finances."
Nicholson claimed Mansour’s death has significantly disrupted Taliban operations, despite the group’s claims it has successfully transitioned to a new leader, Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada
...Deputy to Taliban supremo Mullah Akhtar Mansour...
. The quick replacement of Mansour, which occurred within a week of his death, was reportedly not inclusive and has "exacerbated" existing tensions previously seen within the group’s leadership.