Succession row: Clerics set deadline for Taliban chief

Ulema delegation asks Mullah Mansoor to authorise them to settle the controversy

ISLAMABAD:

Afghan religious scholars have given Taliban supremo Mullah Akhtar Mansoor until Tuesday to authorise them to settle differences over his ‘election’ as Mullah Omar’s successor. The clerics had started their mediation efforts after some Taliban leaders, including Mullah Omar’s family, objected to Mullah Mansoor’s election and refused to swear allegiance to him.

Mullah Mansoor was unwilling to meet the clerics. However, he agreed to receive them but refused to empower them to make any decision on his election.

“All opposition sides had authorised the religious scholar to broker a way out. Later, the clerics met Mullah Akhtar Mansoor and asked for his authorisation. But he made it conditional with consultations with his colleagues. Enough time has passed but they have not responded,” the head of the Ulema delegation Maulvi Ahmad Rabbani said on Sunday.  “After a long wait, the clerics have decided that Akhtar Mansoor and his colleagues should respond to the Ulema within two or three days. The Ulema will make their decision if they do not come up with their response. They will do whatever they want,” Maulvi Rabbani told The Express Tribune in an interview.

Read: Afghan Taliban admit covering up Mullah Omar's death

Maulvi Ahmad warned of infighting if Mullah Mansoor and his opponents failed to settle their differences.

The remarks coincided with clashes between supporters of Mullah Mansoor and fighters loyal to a senior Taliban commander, Mansoor Dadullah, in southern Zabul province. Dadullah has rejected Mullah Mansoor’s nomination and threw his weight behind Mullah Omar’s family.

Dadullah told The Express Tribune last week that he wanted the clerics to quickly announce their decision as tensions are fast growing in parts of Afghanistan among the Taliban. A man introducing himself as Abdullah called The Express Tribune from Khak-e-Afghan district in Zabul that supporters of Dadullah and Mullah Mansoor are now eyeball to eyeball that could take a bloody turn. Reports suggested at least five Taliban were killed in the area on Saturday.

“The results of the infighting will be so disastrous that no one will even have its compensation.” Maulvi Ahmad said.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 1st, 2015.