Government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

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Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
  • د افغانستان اسلامي امارت (Pashto)
    Də Afġānistān Islāmī Imārat
  • امارت اسلامی افغانستان (Dari)
    Imārat-i Islāmī-yi Afghānistān
Theocratic emirate
Flag of Afghanistan
Flag of Afghanistan
Formation
  • 15 August 2021 (2021-08-15) (reinstatement)
  • 4 April 1996 (1996-04-04) (original)
Extinction7 December 2001 (2001-12-07) (exiled)
Governing document1964 Constitution of Afghanistan (amended to be compliant with Shari’a law; claimed but not enforced)
CountryAfghanistan
Websitealemarahenglish.af
Leadership
Head of stateLeader
Deputy head of stateDeputy Leader
Main bodyLeadership Council
Meeting placeKandahar
Administrative branch
Head of governmentPrime Minister
Main bodyCabinet
Deputy head of governmentDeputy Prime Minister
AppointerLeader
HeadquartersArg, Kabul
DepartmentsMinistries
Judicial branch
CourtSupreme Court
Chief JusticeChief Justice
SeatSupreme Court Building, Kabul
Politics of Afghanistan
Constitution
Government
Judiciary
Law enforcement
Administrative divisions
Elections
  • Recent elections
  • Political parties
Foreign relations

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the Taliban's governing authority and system of Afghanistan. After the Afghan Civil War in 1996 until its overthrow in the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the system of the Islamic Emirate governed a majority of Afghanistan. The governing structure of the Islamic Emirate was maintained throughout the ensuing Taliban insurgency, but did not govern the country. After the Fall of Kabul on 15 August 2021, the Islamic Emirate again became the de facto governing system of Afghanistan.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan claims to be temporarily governed under the Constitution of Afghanistan from 1964, amended to be compliant with Sharia law. The provisional constitution is unenforced as of February 2022.[1] On 23 September 2021, the Taliban Islamic Movement announced that a constitutional commission would be formed in 2022 to draft a permanent constitution.[2] Others[who?] state that a constitution drafted by the Ulema-e-Jaid in 1998 under Mohammed Omar is being enforced as of January 2022.[3]

Political power is vested with the Leader and Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,[4][5] collectively referred to as the Leadership of the Islamic Emirate. Final approval concerning religious, public, military policy, and appointments, is made by the Leader in consultation with the Leadership Council.[5] As a result, the Leadership Council appoints and oversees the work of the Cabinet, the general staff of the Islamic Emirate Armed Forces, Supreme Court, provincial governors,[6] and municipal leaders.

Organizational chart of the “Islamic Emirate”

Leadership of the Islamic Emirate

The top decision-making body of Afghanistan is officially called the Leadership of the Islamic Emirate,[7][8][9] consisting of the Leader and Leadership Council. Both entities are based out of Kandahar.

Leader

Main article: Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Officially known as the leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the position is the head of state and supreme leader of Afghanistan. Currently, the Leadership Council appoints a new leader upon the death, or resignation of the former leader.[10] Historically, the first deputy leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has always chosen as successor. There is no fixed term limit for the position, with the incumbent always holding office for life.[10]

In the current political setup the Leader exercises final approval on major appointments and decisions made by the Islamic Emirate. The Leader makes all senior legislative, executive, judicial, provincial and municipal appointments and/or dismissals for the Islamic Emirate.[5] These institutions include the members and commission heads of the Leadership Council, Cabinet, Supreme Court, and Islamic Emirate Army, provinces, and municipalities.[11][12][13] The Leader also directly appoints the Minister of Defence, Minister of Interior Affairs, and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Outside of appointments, and in conjunction with the Leadership Council, the Leader officially exercises oversight of the work of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.[5] The Leader may also issue decrees and/or special instructions through the Leadership Office directing the work of the judiciary, cabinet, and provincial governors.[14][8]

Leadership Council

Main article: Leadership Council of Afghanistan

Officially called the Leadership Council of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and also known by its Pashto name Rahbari Shura,[15] the Leadership Council is a consultative body to the Leader and deliberative body of the Islamic Emirate. Its members are appointed by the Leader who in turn choose their successor.

The Leadership Council is made up of 30 members, 18 of them being heads of the various commissions and departments making up the council.[16] In reality, the Leadership Council exercises de facto political power over Afghanistan instead of the Cabinet as 30 of the 33 members make up the Cabinet.[17] Because of this, most decisions made by the cabinet are really made in direct consultation and approval with the Leader and Leadership Council.

Administration

The Cabinet is the administrative body of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, responsible for day-to-day governance and the implementation of policy set by the Leadership. It is headed by the prime minister and his deputies, and consists of the heads and deputy heads of the government ministries.

Prime Minister

The position is officially known as the Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,[18] who presides over the Cabinet and serves as the nation's head of government, overseeing the functioning of the civil service.[19] Currently the Leader formally appoints and/or dismisses the prime minister and cabinet on independently or on recommendation from the Leadership Council.[20]

Cabinet

Main article: Cabinet of Afghanistan

The Cabinet of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is the administrative body of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The ministries under the Cabinet carry out the decisions of a respective commission or department within the Leadership Council.[21][22] The minister in charge in most cases is also the head of that commission. Independent decisions made by the Prime Minister and cabinet pertain primarily to the operation of the civil service.[19]

Judiciary

Main article: Judiciary of Afghanistan

The judiciary of Afghanistan, officially called the Judiciary of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan,[23] currently consists of the Supreme Court, appeals courts, civil courts and city courts. All justices of the appeals, civil and city courts are presided over by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.[24]

The judicial system is heavily criticized by legal and human rights for the complete lack of due process, extreme punishments, and lack of legal representation for defendants. However others argue that due to government corruption, the Taliban's judicial system is quicker and more effective at dispensing justice. Because of this, Talibani courts were often sought out by locals in rural areas to resolve cases.[25][26]

Supreme Court

Main article: Supreme Court of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

The Supreme Court of the Islamic Emirate,[24] or Supreme Court of Afghanistan, is the final court of appeal in Afghanistan. Abdul Hakim Ishaqzai, who is Minister of Justice, currently presides over the court as Chief Justice. Beneath him are two deputy justices; Mohammad Qasim Rasikh and Sheikh Abdul Malik.[27]

Court of Appeals

For a more comprehensive list, see List of current provincial judges in Afghanistan.

The Court of Appeals are the court of second instance at the provincial level. Each court is currently presided over by a chief Justice appointed by the Supreme Court.[24]

Civil Courts

Civil Courts operate at the provincial level in seven provinces of Afghanistan as a civil court of first instance, operating on the same level of the provincial Court of Appeals. As its name implies civil cases currently are handled at this level in their respective province. Each civil court is currently presided over by a chief justice appointed by the Supreme Court.

Provinces that currently have civil courts as of 2021 are Baghlan, Samangan, Faryab, Sar-I-Pul, Kunar, Maidan Wardak, and Nuristan.[24]

City and Municipal Courts

City Courts function as the court of first instance at the municipal level across Afghanistan. Each court is currently presided over by a chief justice appointed by the Supreme Court.[24]

Administrative divisions

Main article: Provinces of Afghanistan

Provinces

For a more comprehensive list, see List of current provincial governors in Afghanistan and List of current provincial deputy governors in Afghanistan.

The provinces are headed by governors who are appointed by the Leader in consultation with the Leadership Council. The Governor in turn oversees the governing of the province through various departments to handle different aspects of governance, which are parallel to the ministries that make up the Cabinet on the national level.[28][29][30] The provincial governor presided over several district governors who were also appointed by the Leadership of the Islamic Emirate.[31]

Districts

As with the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, provinces are composed of several districts presided over by a governor. As with the provincial governor, the district's governor oversees their area's respective civil service.[31]

Security forces

Main articles: Armed Forces of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan and Haqqani network

Internal and external security of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are the responsibility of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Ministry of Defence respectively.[32] The heads of these two respective ministries are Mohammed Yaqoob, head of the Military Affairs Commission within the Rahbari Shura and son of Mullah Omar, and Sirajuddin Haqqani, head of the Haqqani Network.[33]

Currently the Islamic Emirate Army is subdivided into eight corps, mostly superseding the previous corps of the Afghan National Army.[34] In November 2021 Mullah Yaqoob, Acting Minister of Defense, announced the new names and of the corps.[35]

See also

References

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  2. ^ "Taliban plans to form 'commission' in 2022 to draft new constitution". ANI News. Archived from the original on 2021-12-29. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  3. ^ "What the Taliban's Constitution Means for Afghanistan". Fair Observer. 2022-01-26. Archived from the original on 2022-02-12. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
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  9. ^ Stenersen, Anne (2010). The Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan – organization, leadership and worldview. Norwegian Defence Research Establishment. p. 41. ISBN 978-82-464-1710-3.
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  14. ^ "Special Decree Issued by Amir-ul-Momenin on Women's Rights – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
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  18. ^ Suhail Shaheen. محمد سهیل شاهین [@suhailshaheen1] (12 September 2021). "1/6 Mullah Mohammad Hasan Akhund, Prime Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan met Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdur Rahman Al-thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the State of Qatar and Sheikh Mohammad bin Ahmad Al-Mosnad, Adviser to the Emir of Qatar" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 September 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2022 – via Twitter.
  19. ^ a b "Acting PM of Afghanistan's Taliban gov't chairs cabinet meeting on economy". www.xinhuanet.com. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
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  22. ^ "Taliban Cabinet has no 'actual' power and that's why they are fighting: Report". Hindustan Times. 2021-09-23. Archived from the original on 2021-10-09. Retrieved 2022-01-19.
  23. ^ "د افغانستان اسلامي امارت د ستري محکمې د میزان جرېدې لومړی ګڼه!". Twitter (in Pashto). ستره محکمه (Supreme Court of Afghanistan). Archived from the original on 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2022-04-30.
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  28. ^ "Deputy Governor of Zabul meets representatives of Public Health Department – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  29. ^ "Traffic department organizes 15-day driving course in Helmand: – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  30. ^ "Director of Nangarhar Rural Rehabilitation and Development visits power project – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan". Archived from the original on 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-01-22.
  31. ^ a b "The Layha: Calling the Taleban to Account". Afghanistan Analysts Network - English (in Pashto). 2011-07-04. Archived from the original on 2021-12-05. Retrieved 2021-10-09.
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  33. ^ "Who's Who In The Taliban: The Men Who Run The Extremist Group And How They Operate". RFE/RL. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2021-10-02.
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  35. ^ Lalzoy, Najibullah (8 November 2021). "Taliban retitles all military corps in Afghanistan". The Khaama Press News Agency. Archived from the original on 24 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
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