TALIBAN AND STATE BUILDING TODAY

Abstract

This study focuses on the state-building process under the Taliban following their return to power in 2021. With the fall of the previous democratic system, the Taliban abolished the existing governance framework and began constructing their own political system. The aim of the study is to assess how successful the Taliban have been in establishing and consolidating their rule, specifically examining their efforts in key areas such as peace formation, security, territorial control, and the establishment of government branches like the legislature, judiciary, and executive. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the current state of Afghanistan, the study draws on both primary data from journalists and experts in politics and law. Journalists provide insights into the evolving social and political landscape of the country, while experts offer technical perspectives on the functioning of the new government structures and their legal frameworks. The study finds that the Taliban have been more successful than the previous government in certain areas, particularly in ensuring peace and security. They have managed to maintain control over significant parts of the country, which was previously a major challenge for the Afghan government. Additionally, the establishment of government institutions and a degree of autonomy for branches like the executive and judiciary reflects the Taliban’s efforts to build a functioning state. However, the study also highlights a critical weakness: the lack of a clear and formal constitution. This absence has led to power struggles within the Taliban ranks, which could undermine the state-building process and create instability in the long run. The lack of constitutional clarity makes it difficult to resolve internal conflicts, potentially weakening the Taliban's governance in the future.