In a statement delivered at the Fourth Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia at the Kyrgyz resort town of Cholpon-Ata, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon noted on July 21 that the situation in Afghanistan tends to worsen further.
AKIpress cites Tajik leader as saying that developments in Afghanistan may have a negative impact not only on Central Asia, but they may lead to changes in the geopolitical balance and forces throughout the Eurasian continent.
According to him, since they returned to power in Afghanistan, “The Taliban authorities have not taken steps to convince the world community and the population of Afghanistan of the legitimacy of their power, ability to control the situation in the country, provide security of citizens and solve emerging social-and-economic issues.”
“On the contrary, despite their promises and assurances, the Taliban opposes the creation of a government with broad participation of all political and ethnic forces,” Rahmon said.
In his opinion, the Taliban administration in its current form is not able to solve the problems of governing the country. “Meanwhile, the Taliban pursue an aggressive policy of discrimination against various ethnic groups and rigid religious conservatism,” Tajik leader said.
After that, the live broadcast was interrupted for a while. Broadcast started shortly after, when Turkmen President Serdar Berdymuhamedov began his speech.
While the international community has adopted a “wait-and-see” attitude toward the Afghan Taliban, Tajikistan has taken a sharply critical view. Rhetoric between Tajikistan and the Taliban is increasingly bitter, a symptom of a broader problem in their bilateral ties. Tajikistan’s President Emomali Rahmon has condemned the Taliban regime in Kabul for failing to form an inclusive government and for violating human rights in the Panjshir Valley. The Taliban have responded by warning Tajikistan not to interfere in Afghanistan’s internal affairs.
