Taliban to Name a Supreme Leader and Map Out New Government

The Taliban are preparing to set out their new Islamic government imminently, naming Haibatullah Akhundzada, a key religious leader, as the country’s supreme authority, according to a Taliban official.

According to interviews with Taliban and other sources in Kabul and Kandahar, Mr. Akhundzada would be the supreme authority of the new Islamic government. Mr. Akhunzada, who has been meeting with leadership in Kandahar, has been referred to as either “za’eem” or “rahbar” in official discourse, both meaning “leader,” a theocratic title similar to that of the Iranian head of state, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

While it remains unclear when exactly an announcement may come and whether it would include a more inclusive council, the new government will face huge challenges, including growing humanitarian and economic crises that have forced Afghans to flee. It will also be strapped for cash as funds are cut off by the United States and international lenders, and foreign governments debate recognizing the Taliban.

Basic services like electricity are under threat and Afghans have been struggling with a surge in food prices and malnutrition.

The announcement, which will also lay out key appointments to the communications and interior ministries, may come as soon as Thursday, according to the official who requested anonymity because talks were continuing. Bloomberg News, citing Bilal Karimi, a member of the Taliban’s cultural commission, also reported on the plans for the new government, including Mr. Akhundzada’s new role.

The Taliban’s leadership, including Mr. Akhundzada, has been meeting in Kandahar, according to officials. Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the Taliban who has a large and loyal following among the group’s rank and file, was expected to be in charge of day-to-day affairs as head of government.

Mr. Baradar acted as the chief negotiator for the group in peace talks with the United States in Qatar, presiding over the agreement that cleared the way for the American withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Other key positions in the government will go to Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob and Sirajuddin Haqqani, the supreme leader’s powerful deputies.

Still unclear was the role of a leadership shura or council, and whether its membership would fulfill the Taliban’s promise of building an inclusive government. The question also remains of whether leaders from previous governments, such as Hamid Karzai and Abdullah Abdullah, who have remained in Kabul for talks, will be included.

Other Taliban leaders expected to receive cabinet posts included Sadar Ibrahim who has functioned as de facto interior minister since the Taliban’s takeover.

Dan Bilefsky contributed reporting.