The Necessity of Engaging with the Taliban: Insights from My Recent Visit to Afghanistan

 Returning to a place of profound personal and professional significance invokes a complex array of emotions. As an individual who once considered Afghanistan home and actively contributed to its statebuilding endeavours, my recent journey back to the country was marked by a deep sense of reflection. The passage of time, the intricate currents of history, and the recent shifts in the nation's political landscape have culminated in a transformed Afghanistan, distinct from the one I knew before.

In the early 2010s, when I initially embarked on my journey to Afghanistan, I had the privilege of participating in the country's development and statebuilding initiatives. Engaged with the former Afghan government and various international aid organizations, this phase undoubtedly stands as a defining chapter in my professional trajectory. During this period, the global community's commitment to statebuilding was pronounced, with substantial financial investments aimed at fostering stability, governance, and prosperity within Afghanistan. 

Upon setting foot on Afghan soil once again, a familiar unease mingled with a sense of homecoming. The sight of fluttering Taliban flags at Kabul Airport stirred memories of tumultuous times, particularly the images that saturated media channels during the Taliban's resurgence in August 2021. This volatile period witnessed the departure of countless Afghan citizens, compelled by a fervent desire to escape imminent turmoil. Amid this intricate scene, a towering billboard now proclaims the "Islamic Emirate's" pursuit of peaceful and positive global relations.

Contrasting starkly with the bygone era of Taliban rule in the 1990s, which left Afghanistan in turmoil and bereft of effective governance, the current iteration of the Taliban—dubbed as Taliban 2.0—has assumed the mechanisms of a functioning state. Despite the dissolution of certain political entities, such as the transformation of the Ministry of Women Affairs into the Ministry of the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, the Taliban 2.0 has displayed a discernible commitment to governance. Many key state functions endure, at least to the extent of their operational status before the Taliban's ascension to power.

Yet, the challenges confronting contemporary Afghanistan stand apart from those witnessed during the era of the Republic—an epoch marked by profound insecurity and the displacement of millions of Afghan citizens. With the dominant conflict party now steering governance, notable strides have been made in enhancing security. However, the imposition of stringent measures curbing women's rights has emerged as a pressing concern, casting a somber shadow over the hard-won progress of the preceding decades. Additionally, the suspension of developmental aid and the collapse of the banking system have plunged millions of Afghans into hardship. The pre-collapse reliance on foreign grants for approximately 75% of public expenditures has rendered the Taliban's fiscal management precarious.

Despite the Taliban's assumption of power, international donors have extended humanitarian assistance. However, concerns surrounding the appearance of support for the Taliban regime have hindered essential infrastructural developments, particularly in vital sectors like water, sanitation, and hygiene. This abrupt cessation of development aid has wrought catastrophic consequences. The healthcare system's functionality and substantial segments of the education sector relied heavily on foreign assistance. Acknowledging that the Taliban's appointment of sanctioned individuals to key government roles contributed to the banking and subsequent economic crisis, it is imperative to recognize the influence of Western donor policies in shaping the unfolding humanitarian predicament. Intriguingly, the same donors who were once embroiled in direct military conflicts with the Taliban now occupy the key role in shaping the ongoing humanitarian landscape.

The overarching question that demands attention is the resolution of this impasse. In my view, the responsibility squarely rests with Western nations to recalibrate their foreign policy paradigm and proactively engage with the new regime. The dearth of such constructive engagement has fueled a profound erosion of trust, inadvertently empowering extremist elements within the Taliban regime and thereby perpetuating the extant challenges. My interactions with select Taliban members during my recent visit have led me to conclude that the Taliban's rationale is potentially more nuanced than conventionally believed. This sentiment was succinctly articulated by a Taliban official during an interview:

"If you recognize our government, if you invite our leaders to participate in UN meetings, they will need to engage and talk like we are with you right now." – Taliban official

The curtailment of women's rights, within this context, arises from multifaceted considerations extending beyond mere ideological convictions, illustrating intricate dynamics where Afghan women have regrettably become bargaining chips. Simultaneously, the fabric of the Taliban reveals a diversity surpassing common perceptions, and the stringent measures pertaining to women's rights are not solely anchored in rigid ideological beliefs. This complex political landscape calls for a nuanced and pragmatic approach, one best navigated through a comprehensive political process. By abstaining from active participation in such a process, Western nations risk further entrenching their role in exacerbating the difficulties faced by the Afghan population, particularly the hardships endured by women and girls.