KABUL: Taliban Haibatullah’s highest leader Akhundzada has made his first public appearance, officials announced Sunday, after he spoke to supporters in the city of Kandahar in South Afghanistan.
Akhundzada has become a spiritual head of the Islamic movement since 2016 but remains a closed figure, even after his group seizes power in Afghanistan in August.
His low profile has feeded speculation about his role in the new Taliban government – and even rumors about his death.
On Saturday, he visited Darul Uloom Madrassa to “talk to his brave warriors and students, according to Taliban officials.
There is strict security at the event and there are no photos or videos that appear, but the ten-minute audio record is divided by the Taliban social media account.
Akhundzada – referred to as “Amirul Momineen” or the commander of the faithful – giving religious messages.
The speech did not touch politics, but asked for God’s blessings for the Taliban leadership.
He prayed for the Taliban martyrs, injured warriors and the success of Islamic Emirates officials in this “big test”.
Akhundzada was appointed as a Taliban leader in a rapid power transition after US 2016 drone attack killed his predecessor, Mullah Akhtar Mansour.