JAKARTA – Former Indonesian vice-president Jusuf Kalla is optimistic the Taliban will run an inclusive government in Afghanistan despite how it ruled the country from 1996-2001, reported Anadolu Agency.
Kalla made the remark yesterday, a day after the group claimed to have taken control of the presidential palace in Kabul.
He recalled the group’s visit to the Indonesian capital Jakarta in 2019. At the time, the Taliban was very impressed with how Muslims in Indonesia were generally more moderate.
“My goal was to invite them, so they could see how we do it, and it can change the way they think. I believe their government will present a moderate face in the future,” said Kalla during a virtual press conference.
The Taliban’s actions after coming to power would affect support from other countries, he noted.
“If the Taliban runs an inclusive government, friendly to other countries, and treats women and children fairly, it will be possible to see other countries providing support and recognition.
“We will have to wait for two or three months, and more countries will consider their support,” he added.
Kalla assured that Indonesia will continue to closely monitor the situation in Afghanistan.
He also said it is possible for Indonesia to have diplomatic relations with Afghanistan as a country, not between governments.
On Sunday, the Taliban said the war was over and announced the restoration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
A Taliban spokesman, Suhail Shaheen, told the BBC that the group “will respect the rights of women” when it takes control of Afghanistan.
“We will respect the rights of women. Our policy is that women will have access to education and work, to wear the hijab,” said Shaheen.
The Taliban took control of the presidential palace in Kabul on Sunday, according to the group’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid.
This came following an eventful day which saw minute-to-minute developments, including the Taliban entering the besieged capital and the departure of embattled President Ashraf Ghani along with his close aides.
Defending his decision, Ghani said in a message that he had left Kabul in order to avoid bloodshed. – Bernama, August 17, 2021
