Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai

Amu: Taliban leader has dismissed Abbas Stanikzai, the Taliban’s deputy foreign minister for political affairs, following rare public criticism of Hibatullah Akhundzada, according to multiple sources in Kabul and Kandahar. The removal was reportedly ordered directly by Akhundzada with sources citing “incompetence” and waning popularity as the reasons behind the decision. Stanikzai came under internal scrutiny after a speech at a religious school in Khost, where he sharply criticized the Taliban’s leadership — a rare and unusually public rebuke within the tightly controlled ranks of the group. He has since traveled to the United Arab Emirates and has not appeared at official Taliban events in recent months. Click here to read more (external link).