Mullah Haibatullah Akhundzada is the Supreme Leader of the Taliban, having assumed leadership following the death of Mullah Akhtar Mansour in 2016. Born around 1960 in the Panjwai district of Kandahar, Afghanistan, he is a religious scholar and cleric, with a deep background in Islamic jurisprudence.

Akhundzada played a significant role in the Taliban’s governance during their first rule in the late 1990s, but he became less publicly visible during the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001. After the fall of the Taliban regime, he remained in the shadows, emerging as a key figure in the Taliban's leadership as they regrouped and conducted an insurgency against Afghan and coalition forces.

Under his leadership, the Taliban has sought to consolidate control over Afghanistan, particularly following the U.S. withdrawal in 2021. Mullah Haibatullah has emphasized a strict interpretation of Islamic law and has aimed to present the Taliban as a legitimate governing authority, though their rule has faced significant scrutiny and criticism for human rights abuses, particularly concerning women’s rights and freedom of expression.

Despite his low public profile, Akhundzada's influence is substantial within the Taliban, and he plays a critical role in shaping the group's policies and strategic direction as it seeks to navigate both domestic challenges and international relations.