Afghanistan Freedom Front says Taliban have no right to exploit national resources

KABUL: Dawood Naji, head of the Political Committee of the Afghanistan Freedom Front, has announced that the Taliban’s governance lacks legitimacy and, therefore, they do not have the right to exploit the country’s mines, natural resources, and capital. In a message on X, he stated: “This is exactly why the international community has blocked foreign reserves.” He referred to public protests in Takhar and Badakhshan against mining operations by companies affiliated with Taliban officials, stating “The people’s protests against the Taliban regarding the illegal extraction of minerals are legitimate.” This comes as several news outlets reported yesterday that residents of Takhar have taken to the streets in protest against the excessive mining in the province by Taliban-run companies. It is reported that protesters attacked the Taliban with stones and sticks, and the group responded with force, opening fire on the demonstrators. The excessive exploitation and plundering of the country’s resources by Taliban companies have previously led to public protests in several provinces.