On September 7, 2021, the Taliban formally introduced an interim government, filling top posts with senior figures from the group’s leadership. The announcement came roughly three weeks after the militant organization seized control of Afghanistan.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesman, made the declaration during a press conference held at the Government Media Center in Kabul. Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund was named head of state. He is a longtime associate of Mullah Omar, the Taliban’s founder, and previously led the group’s ruling Shura.
Akhund was also among the four founders of the Tehreek-e-Taliban movement. Serving as his deputy will be Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban who previously ran the group’s political office in Qatar.
Mujahid stated during the announcement, “The country needs to work in every sector. The Islamic Emirate had decided to announce a caretaker cabinet to work in the necessary sectors.” Key ministerial roles were assigned to prominent figures. Maulvi Mohammad Yaqub, son of Mullah Omar, was appointed Minister of Defense.
Sirajuddin Haqqani, leader of the Haqqani network—designated a terrorist group by the United States—will serve as Minister of Interior. Mujahid himself was named Deputy Minister of Information.
Qari Fasih Badakhshani, who commanded Taliban forces in the northern provinces and oversaw the capture of the last resistance center in Panjshir, was appointed Army Chief. Other appointments include Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi as Foreign Minister, Mullah Hidayat Badri as Finance Minister, and Mullah Khairullah Khairkhwa as Information Minister. Qari Din Mohammad will oversee the Economy Ministry, Maulvi Noor Mohammad Saqib will lead the Hajj and Endowment Ministry, and Maulvi Abdul Hakim will serve as Justice Minister.
Additional cabinet members include Mullah Noorullah Noori as Minister for Tribal Affairs, Sheikh Mohammad Khalid leading the Ministry of Invitation and Guidance, Haji Mohammad Issa overseeing the Petroleum Ministry, and Mullah Hamidullah Akhundzada running the Transport Ministry. Maulvi Najibullah Haqqani was named Minister for Intelligence, Haji Mohammad Idrees will serve as patron of Afghanistan Bank, and Sher Mohammad Abbas will be Assistant Foreign Minister.
Mujahid emphasized the need for a functioning government, saying, “As we have seen, the country was in crisis and the people were waiting for an institution to solve the problems of the people. That is why the leadership of the Islamic Emirate decided to announce the cabinet.” He also stated, “No one’s intervention in Afghanistan is acceptable. We have finally won the 20-year struggle against the US intervention in Afghanistan.
No one is interfering in our affairs. This is just propaganda for 20 years.” The Taliban seized control in mid-August 2021 after a rapid military offensive, leading to the collapse of the U.S.-backed government and the flight of President Ashraf Ghani.
The takeover ended a 20-year war that began after the September 11, 2001 attacks. International reaction has been cautious, with many countries pledging to judge the Taliban by their actions on human rights, women’s access to education and work, and preventing Afghanistan from becoming a terrorist haven. The new government faces enormous challenges, including an economy in crisis with frozen foreign aid and severed ties with international financial institutions, a severe drought, and a humanitarian crisis displacing hundreds of thousands.
The cabinet includes no women or members of ethnic minorities such as Tajiks, Hazaras, or Uzbeks, drawing criticism from human rights groups. While the Taliban have promised more moderate rule than their 1996–2001 regime, the interim government’s composition suggests continuity with the past, with many appointees senior figures from the first Taliban era who remain on UN sanctions lists.
The announcement ends weeks of uncertainty and signals the Taliban’s intent to consolidate control quickly, amid internal divisions between hardliners and pragmatists. The interim cabinet will focus on restoring basic services and security, with no timeline given for forming a more inclusive government.
