LAST 24 HOURS:
Acting Foreign Minister Muttaqi stated on Turkish television that the IEA has fulfilled all necessary requirements for recognition and urged international bodies and individual states to begin granting recognition immediately. The announcement follows closely on the heels of Turkey’s call to recognize the IEA as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.
The Taliban troops dispatched to Herat arrived and were immediately stationed at checkpoints in and around the city. We believe this is a training regimen that is being adopted by the Taliban: recent military training graduates are sent to learn basic security duties so they can eventually relieve veteran Taliban of these mundane tasks. We continue to receive reports of friction between “New Guard” and “Old Guard” Taliban. Apparently, a group of new recruits were disciplined harshly in Jalalabad this week when they were found to be using their cell phones while on duty.
A weapons cache containing grenades, Kalashnikovs, and some explosives was found in Nangarhar province. Nobody has yet been charged in connection with the cache. A police source claims the Taliban is staging some seizures in order to reassure the public of their efficiency. Cases where no one is charged are often an indicator of a faux seizure, according to the source.
Several sources have reported an uptick in power outages over the last several days.
Two people were reportedly killed by lightning in eastern Nangarhar province. Dangerous storms with heavy rains were reported throughout Lalpoor district.
Several people were reportedly killed by security forces in Uruzgan and Langhman provinces. However, the deaths were later attributed to arguments over land. Two separate clashes were reported resulting in the deaths of at least five people. No further information is available at this time.
NEXT 24 HOURS:
Restrictions are reputed to be in place to temper the Nowruz holiday. No music may be played, and celebrations are being discouraged. Security forces have been on high alert around the country, but especially in Balkh province. Afghans should be wary of celebrating in the open with large groups of people. Expect elevated personal search measures at checkpoints and along roads. City officials in Mazar-i-Sharif, a common gathering place for Nowruz celebrations, have complained about low visitation numbers compared to previous years.
Students are organizing peaceful protests on at least seven campuses to demand the right to carry their cell phones with them on campus. Many claim it is often the only way they can retrieve documents and papers required for classes. Apparently, many computers were looted from campuses after the Taliban takeover, and there are not enough workstations to facilitate homework. Female students are often further inhibited since they generally have fewer computers than males. Although the planned demonstrations are intended to be peaceful, there is always a potential for violence.
SUNDAY INFOGRAPHIC:
The Afghan Digest has decided to dedicate Sunday editions for infographics related to Afghanistan and/or the evacuation effort unless a significant threat event occurs.
Some will be created in-house and some will feature samples of the really excellent analysis work being done by others.
REGIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE ISLAMIC EMIRATE OF AFGHANISTAN (IEA)
As of 19 MAR 2022
Afghani to the Dollar: $1 – 88.58 AFN (as of 21 MAR 2022)
Afghan News
Gailani: Islamic Emirate Should Take Steps for Recognition
By Farshad Daryush – TOLO News
Fatima Gailani, a member of the negotiating team of the former government, says that the…
Fuel prices down by 9% this week in Kabul
By Weda Frotan – Pajhwok Afghan News
The prices of fuel and gold have dipped while the rates of ghee, flour and sugar have increased in…
Lack of Coordination with IEA Government Agencies in Aid Distribution Criticized
By Tamim Shaheer – TOLO News
Lack of coordination in the distribution of humanitarian aid has provoked criticism from some government agencies…
Regional News
Pakistan will recognize IEA after regional consensus
By Ariana News
Pakistan has said that it will recognize the Islamic Emirate as the official government of Afghanistan when there is consensus among regional…
Chinese mining company MCC to open office in Kabul
By Ariana News
China’s mining company Metallurgical Corp of China (MCC) will open an office in Kabul by the end of this month, Afghan officials said…
International News
The response to Ukraine is laudable. But as a British Afghan, I’m a little jealous
By Nelufar Hedayat – The Guardian
The world’s attention is focused on the conflict in Ukraine. But, as someone born in Afghanistan, the…
Afghanistan ranks last in world happiness index for third year in a row
By Ariana News
Afghanistan has been ranked last out of 146 countries in the UN World Happiness Report 2022, which was…
The Absurdity of the Day
Muttaqi: Kabul Has Fulfilled Recognition Requirements
By Farshad Daryush – TOLO News
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Muttaqi said that the Islamic Emirate is inclusive and has…