Differences among Taliban key leaders, opportunity for Peace Talks

Taliban insurgents say that the family of late Taliban leader Mullah Mohammad Omar has announced their support for Mullah Akhtar Mohammad Mansour as his successor.

A statement posted on the Taliban’s web site on Tuesday said that Mullah Omar’s brother, Mullah Abdul Manan, and eldest son, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoub, declared their support for Mansour’s leadership in a gathering of senior Taliban officials.

Omar’s brother Mullah Manan and his son Mullah Yaqub, claimed that the selection of Mansoor was premature and lacked consensus. Several prominent Taliban commanders refused to get behind the new leader.

The Taliban now say that Manan and Yaqub have given their blessing to Mansoor, who in turn promised to consult with them in all important matters.
The reconciliation raises hopes of reviving the embryonic peace talks, which the Taliban put on hold immediately after the Afghan government announced Mullah Omar’s death in late July.

A former Taliban member, Sayed Akbar Agha says that differences between Taliban officials can be a great opportunity for Afghanistan’s future and peace negotiations.

“These differences are beneficial not only for Taliban but also for Afghan government and Peace Talks,” Sayed Akbar Agha said.

However, a number of Parliament representatives said that Pakistan Inter-Service intelligence ISI is trying to solve Taliban problem to reaches their evil goals.

Mullah Dadullah, who has accused Mansoor of colluding to kill his brother, alleged that Mansoor only restarted peace talks at the whim of Pakistan. Other influential commanders, including former deputy Mullah Baradar, have yet to pledge allegiance to Mansoor, but their opposition has less potency without the support of Omar’s family.

Mansoor controls the media office that issued Tuesday’s statement. Consequently, some western officials were hesitant to believe it without direct confirmation from Omar’s family. And even if it were confirmed, they said, many obstacles to peace remained.

This comes as Taliban insurgents have stepped up their attacks on Afghan soldiers and police in recent months.