Haibatullah Angry Over ‘Unauthorized Meeting’ Between Ghani Baradar and Americans

Informed sources have revealed to Afghanistan International that Haibatullah Akhundzada, the Taliban’s supreme leader, is angry with Mullah Ghani Baradar, the deputy prime minister, for meeting with a U.S. delegation without prior approval or the presence of Haibatullah’s trusted representatives.

According to sources, Haibatullah has emphasized that his trusted officials must be present in all meetings between Taliban officials and foreign delegations. Two sources from Kabul and Kandahar confirmed that Haibatullah’s dissatisfaction became evident after Baradar’s meeting with Adam Boulier, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, on September 14. Haibatullah is reportedly suspicious of the nature of this meeting.

A source from Kandahar questioned, “Why did the U.S. delegation meet with Mullah Baradar, the deputy prime minister, instead of Mullah Hasan Akhund, the acting prime minister?”

Sources added that Haibatullah insists that one of the following ministers must be present in all foreign meetings: the Minister of Hajj and Religious Affairs, Mines, Justice, Higher Education, Chief Justice, Governors of Kandahar and Balkh, or the acting prime minister. All these officials are required to fully obey Haibatullah’s orders.

It has also been reported that several Taliban ministers traveled to Kandahar to convey the U.S. delegation’s message regarding American prisoners to Haibatullah. The delegation included Hedayatullah Badri, the Minister of Mines and Petroleum, the Ministers of Finance and Economy, Ibrahim Sadr, the Senior Deputy Minister of Interior, and the head of the Taliban’s Central Bank.

During the meeting with Baradar, Adam Boulier reportedly stated that both the U.S. and the Taliban have implemented the Doha Agreement well, with neither side violating its terms. Baradar, in turn, briefed the U.S. delegation on Afghanistan’s economic situation, the fight against drug cultivation and trafficking, unemployment, and other issues.

Baradar also urged the U.S. envoy to focus on engagement rather than confrontation and to play a role in Afghanistan’s reconstruction. Boulier reportedly assured Baradar that the two countries would exchange prisoners.

Sources say Haibatullah views the meetings between Baradar, other Taliban officials, and Adam Boulier and Zalmay Khalilzad in Kabul as unauthorized. He has accused some of them of disobeying his orders.

One source said, “He removed Khairullah Khairkhwa from the Ministry of Information and Culture for not fully implementing his orders. Now he’s looking for an excuse to do the same with Mullah Baradar, and if he can, he will appoint him to another position.”

The Taliban have not officially commented on the matter.