Government of Afghanistan

Government of Afghanistan
Country	Afghanistan
Headquarters	Kabul

Government of Afghanistan. The governing authority of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is a theocracy and emirate established following the Fall of Kabul (2021) and the collapse of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Its authority is derived from a strict interpretation of Sharia law as defined by the Hanafi school and the leadership of the Supreme Leader, or Amir al-Mu'minin. The current administration, led by the Taliban, is not formally recognized by the United Nations and faces significant international sanctions and domestic challenges to its control.

History

The modern Afghan state emerged from the Durrani Empire founded by Ahmad Shah Durrani in the 18th century. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, its governance was shaped by conflicts including the Anglo-Afghan Wars, the reign of Abdur Rahman Khan, and the Saur Revolution which established the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan. Following the Soviet–Afghan War and subsequent civil war, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001) first took power in Kabul. After its overthrow during the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021), the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was established under the Bonn Agreement and a new constitution, supported by the ISAF and later Resolute Support Mission. This republic collapsed in 2021, leading to the re-establishment of the Taliban-led emirate.

Structure

The structure is defined by the supreme authority of the Supreme Leader of Afghanistan, currently Hibatullah Akhundzada, who holds ultimate executive, legislative, and judicial power. A central Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister of Afghanistan, implements directives, while a network of Islamic scholars and mullahs provides religious legitimacy. Key advisory bodies include the Leadership Council and various commissions overseeing enforcement of religious doctrine. This system largely bypasses the former republican constitution, operating through decrees and religious edicts issued from Kandahar.

Executive branch

The executive branch is headed by the Supreme Leader of Afghanistan, who appoints the Prime Minister of Afghanistan and the Cabinet of Afghanistan. The acting prime minister is Hasan Akhund, with deputies including Abdul Ghani Baradar and Abdul Salam Hanafi. Key ministries include the Ministry of Defense under Mullah Yaqoob, the Ministry of Interior under Sirajuddin Haqqani, and the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Executive authority is exercised through provincial governors and district Taliban commanders who enforce policies on security, justice, and social conduct.

Legislative branch

The former National Assembly of Afghanistan, comprising the Wolesi Jirga and the Meshrano Jirga, was dissolved in 2021. No elected legislative body currently exists. Legislative functions are performed by the Supreme Leader of Afghanistan through religious decrees and directives. Advisory and drafting roles are occasionally undertaken by the Leadership Council and committees of ulema in Kabul and Kandahar. The Loya Jirga as a traditional assembly has been convened by the Taliban for endorsement of major decisions but holds no independent power.

Judicial branch

The judiciary is based entirely on the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia and Hanafi jurisprudence. The Supreme Court of Afghanistan exists in name, but ultimate judicial authority rests with the Supreme Leader of Afghanistan. Courts across provinces and districts are presided over by qadis (religious judges) who adjudicate criminal and civil matters. The General Directorate of Intelligence and the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice also hold significant quasi-judicial powers. Punishments are administered in accordance with the Taliban's code, often involving public executions and corporal punishment.

Administrative divisions

Afghanistan is divided into 34 provinces of Afghanistan, each under a governor appointed from Kabul. Key provinces include Kabul Province, Kandahar Province, Herat Province, Nangarhar Province, and Balkh Province. Provinces are subdivided into districts of Afghanistan, which are further organized into villages and localities. Provincial governance is tightly controlled by Taliban provincial military commanders and religious authorities, ensuring compliance with central directives from Kandahar and Kabul. The Panjshir Province has been a notable site of armed resistance led by the National Resistance Front of Afghanistan.

International relations

The government faces widespread diplomatic isolation, with no country granting formal recognition as of 2024. It maintains informal diplomatic contacts with regional powers including China, Pakistan, Iran, and Russia, and has hosted delegations from Qatar and Turkmenistan. Major international organizations, including the United Nations, continue to recognize the ambassadors of the former Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The administration is subject to sanctions from the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations Security Council, impacting access to global financial systems and humanitarian aid.