On 5 December 2024, multiple news outlets reported that Hibatullah Akhundzadah, the Taliban Supreme Leader, had called for a total ban on the operations of “foreign organisations” in Afghanistan during a cabinet meeting in Kandahar. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, had confirmed to ToloNews on 4 December that a cabinet meeting, attended by several ministers, was taking place at the time, although without discussing its purpose.
According to unnamed sources quoted in media reports, the Supreme Leader expressed concern over foreign organisations’ operations in Afghanistan during the meeting. On 10 December 2024, Zawia News reported that the Supreme Leader had ordered the “immediate closure” of all foreign organisations since they “send spies” to Afghanistan, and threaten his hold on power. It was, however, unclear which organisations would be affected by the ban (see below).
The Taliban has not commented officially on the alleged ban. Based on online discussions among pro-Taliban accounts, however, it appears the order has only been discussed verbally and not yet formalised on paper. For example, a pro-Taliban user on X expressed hope to see the actual written decree from the Supreme Leader on the ban. It is also likely that a final decision has been delayed due to reported opposition within the Taliban to the proposed decree (see below). Zawia News furthermore claimed that the ban would be implemented in several phases.
Kabul-based Taliban opposed the ban
Multiple news reports suggested that several ministers opposed the Supreme Leader’s reported decision to ban foreign organisations. While names of the participants in the cabinet meeting have yet to be officially published, news reports suggested several high-level attendees: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) of Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Biradar, DPM of Political Affairs Mawlawi Abdul Kabir, Senior Deputy Interior Minister Mawlawi Ibrahim Sadr, acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, the late Refugees and Repatriation Minister Khalil Rahman Haqqani, and representatives of the General Directorate of Intelligence (GDI).
Those in opposition reportedly argued that the ban will damage the Afghan economy, and that GDI is capable of managing any espionage activity involving foreign organisations, implying that the Supreme Leader’s concerns were unnecessary. Afghanistan International also reported that some cabinet members warned about the political repercussions of closing down foreign organisations, since a ban would increase Afghanistan’s international isolation.
It is worth mentioning that, if the reports are true, this would be the first time that Taliban members have disagreed with the Supreme Leader in a face-to-face meeting, that AW is aware of. Previously, Sirajuddin Haqqani, Deputy Foreign Minister Shir Muhammad Abbas Stanikzai, and others have limited themselves to implicit opposition toward the Supreme Leader’s decisions on multiple occasions.
Pro-Taliban accounts welcome the ban
While the Taliban have yet to issue an official statement of the ban, several pro-Taliban accounts have praised the Supreme Leader for taking such an initiative. Multiple accounts supported the position, accusing foreign agencies of having intelligence motives. Some hoped the ban would take effect immediately. Others argued that Western organisations were enemies of the Afghans’ religion and way of life, and hoped that the Taliban would build a strong economy independent of foreign support.
Who would be affected?
The Taliban has not officially commented on the nature of the ban or which “international organisations” it will affect. Zawia News, however, reported that Mawlawi Ibrahim Sadr stated during the cabinet meeting that eight foreign private security providers would be banned: Garda World, IDG, Hart International, GEOS, PageGroup, Vesper Group, Secure World Security, and ASSC.
AW can confirm that these organisations have provided security for foreign diplomatic and non-diplomatic entities in Afghanistan, although it is less clear when they first began operating in Afghanistan. While seven of the companies are foreign-owned, ASSC is owned by Afghans but is a partner of All Terrain, a US-based security company.
While little is known about whether the decision would impact UN agencies or NGOs, Zawia News reported that operations of the United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) will be affected. The Supreme Leader has reportedly asked GDI to develop a “special policy” that would allow for more oversight of UNAMA and restrict its activities and freedom of movement, although the details are unclear.
Similarly, according to Zawia News, the Supreme Leader called on Amir Khan Muttaqi not to issue visas “to every foreigner”.
Since the proposed ban was reported on 5 December 2024, AW noted that several Taliban officials met with representatives of foreign aid organisations in Kabul and other provinces. Tolo News further reported that the UNAMA Head of Office for the Central Region met Taliban authorities in Panjshir on 11 December 2024 to discuss areas of cooperation and humanitarian assistance. It was, however, unclear if these were routine meetings or related to the alleged ban.
