Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund is an Afghan political and religious leader who is currently serving as the Prime Minister of Afghanistan under the Taliban government that returned to power in August 2021. Known for his loyalty to the Taliban’s founder, Mullah Omar, and his long-standing association with the movement, Mullah Hassan Akhund is a key figure in the Taliban's leadership, especially in its second rule of Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal.
Early Life and Background
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund was born in the early 1960s in the Panjwai district of Kandahar province, which is considered the heartland of the Taliban movement. He belongs to the Popalzai Pashtun tribe, the same tribe as the Taliban’s founder, Mullah Omar, which has helped to establish his strong ties within the group’s leadership circles.
Like many Taliban leaders, Mullah Hassan Akhund was educated in traditional madrasas (Islamic schools) in Afghanistan and Pakistan, where he studied Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh) and other religious sciences. He is considered a hardliner in his religious views, deeply committed to implementing a strict interpretation of Sharia law.
Role in the Taliban
Mullah Hassan Akhund has been a central figure in the Taliban movement since its founding in the mid-1990s. During the Taliban’s first rule of Afghanistan (1996-2001), he held several key positions in the Taliban government, although his role was not as publicly prominent as figures like Mullah Omar or Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. He was known for his administrative competence and loyalty to Mullah Omar, and he served in various ministerial capacities, including as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning during the first Taliban regime.
A key part of Mullah Hassan Akhund’s role within the Taliban’s structure has been his close association with the group’s leadership council (Shura), as well as his relationship with Mullah Omar, the founder of the Taliban, who held significant spiritual and political authority. Mullah Akhund’s loyalty to Mullah Omar helped to solidify his position within the Taliban hierarchy. Despite being relatively low-profile compared to other leaders, his influence within the organization has been significant.
Role After 2021 Taliban Takeover
Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund was appointed as the Prime Minister of Afghanistan in the Taliban’s interim government. His appointment was seen as part of an effort by the Taliban to present a leadership that reflects its traditional core while also signaling a desire for some level of continuity with their previous governance and a more formal structure after decades of conflict.
Mullah Akhund’s selection as Prime Minister was also part of the Taliban’s attempt to project an image of unity and to include members of the older generation of Taliban leaders who were directly involved in the 1996-2001 rule. In the new Taliban government, many positions are held by figures who were close to Mullah Omar, reinforcing the ideological continuity with the previous Taliban regime.
Mullah Akhund’s role as Prime Minister is primarily administrative, but it involves critical responsibilities in overseeing the functioning of the Taliban’s government, particularly as Afghanistan faces a multitude of challenges, including economic collapse, humanitarian crises, and international isolation.
Approach to Governance
Under Mullah Akhund's leadership, the Taliban has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing a strict interpretation of Sharia law across Afghanistan. This includes rolling back many of the freedoms that were gained by women and minorities in the years after the fall of the first Taliban regime in 2001. Women have been prohibited from attending secondary schools and universities, and their freedom of movement has been heavily restricted. Additionally, the Taliban has re-imposed its interpretation of Islamic law in public spaces, including the reappearance of public executions and the enforcement of harsh punishments.
Mullah Akhund’s government has faced widespread criticism from human rights organizations, Western countries, and the international community for its treatment of women and minorities and for the regressive social policies it has imposed. Despite these criticisms, the Taliban has justified its actions as part of its commitment to Islamic principles and its vision for Afghanistan’s future.
Challenges and International Relations
Mullah Akhund’s government has faced numerous challenges since taking power. The Taliban has struggled with governance issues, including managing Afghanistan's economy, ensuring security, and dealing with international diplomacy. With Afghanistan’s economy in freefall and international aid largely cut off, Mullah Akhund has had to rely heavily on Pakistan, China, and Qatar for support and legitimacy, while facing widespread sanctions from the international community.
Although Mullah Akhund has expressed interest in negotiating with the West, particularly in terms of humanitarian assistance, the Taliban’s hardline approach to governance and human rights has created a significant barrier to recognition by countries such as the United States and European Union.
Additionally, Mullah Akhund’s leadership has been tested by internal divisions within the Taliban, especially between the hardline factions that prioritize a strict application of Sharia and the more pragmatic factions that recognize the need for some international engagement and reform to stabilize Afghanistan.
Relations with Pakistan and Iran
Mullah Akhund's government has attempted to foster relationships with neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan, which has long supported the Taliban and has been instrumental in providing the group with logistical and military support. However, relations between the Taliban and Pakistan are complex, and Pakistan’s influence on the Taliban remains a subject of debate in both Afghanistan and the wider international community.
Iran, which shares a long border with Afghanistan, has also engaged diplomatically with the Taliban, although the relationship is somewhat strained due to historical tensions between the Sunni-majority Taliban and Shia-majority Iran. However, Iran has been pragmatic in engaging with the Taliban government, especially given the geopolitical and security concerns in the region.
Legacy and Future
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Afghanistan under Taliban rule. His legacy, as of now, will be defined by how well the Taliban can manage the country’s internal governance, address the humanitarian crises, and navigate international relations. His leadership, in many ways, symbolizes the Taliban's return to power with a renewed emphasis on Islamic law and Pashtunwali (traditional Pashtun codes of conduct) while grappling with modern-day governance challenges.
Given the complex and volatile political and social situation in Afghanistan, the future of Mullah Akhund’s leadership remains uncertain. His ability to balance the hardline principles of the Taliban with the urgent needs of Afghanistan’s population, as well as his handling of international relations, will likely determine the long-term stability and reputation of his government