Afghanistan International: As Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada appoints a new governor and police chief to contain the unrest, evidence suggests the list of dissatisfied local Taliban figures in Badakhshan is growing. The Taliban leadership’s “monopolistic” policies, the marginalisation of Tajik and Badakhshani figures, and what critics describe as the unchecked looting of gold mines by
8am: Several Badakhshan residents have expressed concern over the growing mining activities of Chinese companies in the province. They say Chinese companies are preventing residents from approaching extraction sites by setting up large camps and centers for their staff and equipment. These residents say that when extracting minerals, Chinese companies do not pay sufficient attention
8am: Several local workers in Andarab district, Baghlan province, are complaining about the Taliban’s ban on gold panning activities. They say the management of gold extraction has been handed over to individuals affiliated with the Taliban from Kandahar province, and when they protested this decision, they faced a violent response from Taliban forces. These workers
Afghanistan International: The protesters told Afghanistan International that mining workshops belonging to low-income individuals have been shut for about a month, while sites linked to powerful figures continue to operate. They alleged that those workshops had obtained permission to extract minerals by paying bribes to the Taliban. According to the protesters, the situation has left
8am: Several residents of Badakhshan province are complaining about the sale of agricultural land to mining companies and the seizure of parts of this land by individuals and companies linked to the Taliban. They say that many people, driven by poverty and economic hardship, are forced to sell their farmland without considering the long-term consequences
Amu: Gold mining operations in parts of Afghanistan’s northeastern Badakhshan province have been suspended amid escalating tensions over control of mineral-rich areas, local sources said on Wednesday. The suspension comes as Taliban attempt to contain growing unrest linked to gold mines in Shukai district and surrounding areas, where disputes between local residents, armed groups and
Afghanistan International: Local sources in Badakhshan tell Afghanistan International that the Taliban have detained several individuals, including relatives of a number of the group’s ethnic Tajik commanders, amid an ongoing dispute over gold. According to these sources, those detained include Khaled, a nephew of Mawlawi Amanuddin Mansoor, the Taliban’s governor in Helmand; Musa Kaka, a
Amu: Taliban on Sunday informed of signing a $20.2 million contract for the extraction of gold in northern Kunduz province with Afghan and Azerbaijani companies. But critics, including economists and anti-corruption advocates, have repeatedly raised concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding the contracts, revenue collection and oversight of Afghanistan’s mining sector. Click here to
8am: After seizing control of Afghanistan and accelerating the extraction of mineral resources, the Taliban awarded contracts for the large gold mines of Badakhshan and Takhar to Chinese companies. Concerns had previously been raised that the Taliban were looting the country’s natural wealth. Click here to read more (external link).
Afghanistan International: The Taliban’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has approved the deployment of 1,000 fighters to protect gold mining operations in Badakhshan province, according to the Taliban-appointed governor. In recent months, clashes have occurred between local residents and Taliban-linked mining companies in the province. Click here to read more (externa link).