[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
- UN CLARIFIES REMARKS – The United Nations was forced to clarify comments made by the Deputy Secretary General recently which caused some angst among many in the international community. The comments suggested the UN was planning to put the recognition issue on the agenda of a meeting in Doha scheduled from 1-2 May. The UN has since announced the meeting will not focus on recognition and admitted that only member states had any authority to recognize the Taliban. For its part, the United States has flatly rejected any talk about recognition at the meeting. There is still some confusion regarding recent UN statements which suggest it may pull out completely from Afghanistan in May if the gender bans are not rescinded by Kandahar. However, the UNICEF Chief went on the record Thursday and affirmed that his organization was not planning on a cessation of activities. Clearly, the dysfunction illustrates a messaging problem and likely indicates a lack of a general strategy for dealing with the Taliban going forward.
- POSSIBLE TROUBLE IN THE BANKING SECTOR – A source in Kabul said that concern was growing over the possibility that several private banks have grossly overstated deposits and may be facing issues with their cash reserves. The business sector has lobbied for months to increase the daily limit for withdrawals and the banks seemingly relented but businessmen and citizens alike continue to report that banks are not allowing them to withdraw their funds. It should be mentioned that the banking sector has long been considered suspect in Afghanistan (well before the Taliban returned) and multiple rumors circulated at the end of 2021 that huge amounts had been transferred out of the country and may have been absconded with. The Afghan currency has made steady gains against the dollar over the past three months but a banking sector scandal could present major challenges to an already fragile economy. It was not clear if an investigation was underway and, if so, whether any details would be made public.
- DEATH TOLL FROM TORKHAM LANDSLIDE RISES TO 6 – Work continues at the site of the landslide near Torkham Gate and rescue crews received heavy equipment from Islamabad to help shift the rocks and boulders that swept over a line of transport trucks. A Pakistani Army Official announced that 6 bodies had been recovered so far but that over twenty-five people have yet to be accounted for.
- NO OFFICIAL DATE FOR EID AL FITR FROM TALIBAN YET – Saudi Arabia announced it would commence celebrations on 21 April. Pakistan has decreed the 22nd will be the official start of its celebrations. As of publication, the Taliban had yet to announce the Eid Al Fitr date for the country. It is thought that many among the Shiaa community intend to begin on the 22nd.
- TALIBAN HAS BANNED A WASHINGTON POST JOURNALIST FROM THE COUNTRY – Susannah George, the paper’s bureau chief for Afghanistan and Pakistan, was informed yesterday that she was no longer allowed to visit Afghanistan. Her visa has not been renewed and despite lobbying by the Washington Post, the Taliban stated on 20 April that it would not hear any further appeals.
- THE NATIONAL RESISTANCE FRONT RELEASES EID AL-FITR DECLARATION – A statement released on the official Twitter account for the NRF reiterates the movement’s plan to continue the fight against the Taliban and discounts the possibility that dialogue with the regime can achieve peace.
NEXT 24 HOURS
No Current Threats Received |