Taliban Marks Five Years In Power Amid Global Isolation and Rights Abuses

The Taliban government marked five years in power in Afghanistan on Saturday, with authorities highlighting what they describe as improved security, national independence and infrastructure development. White flags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan were displayed across Kabul, while murals carrying messages about independence and national identity appeared in the capital. The anniversary comes five years after Taliban fighters entered Kabul following a rapid offensive that brought down the previous government as US-led forces withdrew from the country.

The Taliban took control of Kabul on August 15, 2021, largely without resistance, bringing an end to two decades of US and allied military involvement in Afghanistan. For the anniversary, authorities planned sporting events, including a cricket match, although women and girls remain barred from attending such events. Vehicles left behind by foreign forces have also been displayed in Kabul, serving as reminders of the dramatic withdrawal that preceded the Taliban's return to power.

Taliban officials say their rule has brought greater security and that the government is focusing on developing the country's economy. University student Pirooz Mirzaie, 20, told AFP that security and infrastructure projects had improved, while opportunities for entrepreneurs had increased. However, he identified a lack of employment as one of the biggest challenges facing young Afghans. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said the government is laying the foundations of the economy and has called for patience.

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Afghanistan's economic situation remains difficult despite signs of growth. The country has experienced major demographic and economic pressures, including the return of more than six million Afghans from neighbouring Iran and Pakistan over three years. The World Bank has estimated real economic growth at 4.8 percent, but GDP per capita has continued to decline, reflecting the country's broader economic difficulties and humanitarian pressures.

The most significant criticism of Taliban rule has centred on restrictions affecting women and girls. Women have been barred from many workplaces and public spaces, including parks, while girls are prohibited from continuing their education beyond the age of 12. UN officials have described the restrictions as increasingly intrusive, affecting multiple aspects of daily life and human rights. Fiona Frazer, the human rights director for the UN mission in Afghanistan, said Afghans had experienced what she described as the consolidation of severe restrictions.

The Taliban has established diplomatic and economic contacts with several countries, but international recognition remains extremely limited, with Russia being the only country to formally recognise its government. Relations with neighbouring Pakistan have also deteriorated sharply, with the two countries engaging in armed conflict this year. At the same time, reductions in international aid have added to Afghanistan's humanitarian difficulties. Five years after the Taliban's return, the country therefore presents a mixed picture: authorities point to security and economic development, while critics and UN officials highlight restrictions on rights, particularly those of women and girls, alongside persistent economic and humanitarian challenges.

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