Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund will serve as prime minister. AFP
The National: Taliban prime minister shocks Afghans by brushing aside famine fears
UN says 22 million Afghans are facing severe food insecurity
Taliban Prime Minister Mohammed Hassan Akhund has been criticised by Afghans and the international community over comments he made on the country's worsening famine crisis.
In his first speech since the extremist group took control of Afghanistan in August, Mr Akhund addressed the nation on Saturday in a radio broadcast.
During the 30-minute broadcast, the elusive Taliban leader touched upon issues of poverty, inflation, and even the Taliban’s brutal treatment of citizens, among other things.
However, his comments on the famine in Afghanistan earned sharp criticism.
“The Taliban should not be blamed for the country’s problems … we are working overtime to solve the problems of the people,” he said. He added that the famine “is a test from God, after people rebelled against him”.
Read more ....
WNU Editor: If history is any indication. The Taliban will be more focused on making sure that their soldiers, allies, and ethnic groups (primarily Pashtun) that supported them throughout the war and share their extremist Islamic beliefs are protected. The rest will have to fend for themselves.
Update: It has already collapsed .... Without women and aid, Afghan economy will collapse, UN warns (France 24).