Taliban commemorate two years of power in Afghanistan

The Afghan Taliban government celebrated the second anniversary of their takeover with festivities and a public holiday on Tuesday and released a bold statement to honour their return to power.

At security checkpoints across the capital, people waved flags of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the nation's new name by its new rulers, in celebration of August 15, 2021, when the US-backed government crumbled and its officials fled into exile.

The Taliban government has imposed its stringent version of Islam over the past two years, with women bearing the brunt of what the UN has dubbed "gender apartheid" rules.

A statement from the authorities early Tuesday hailed a victory that was able to "pave the way for the establishment of the Islamic system in Afghanistan".

"The conquest of Kabul proved once again that no one can control the proud nation of Afghanistan" and that "no invader will be allowed to threaten the independence and freedom" of the country, it said.

Quiet Kabul streets early on Tuesday began to give way to convoys of Taliban members and a gathering at Massoud Square near the abandoned US embassy building.

Some of the men carried their weapons, while others snapped smiling selfies as anthems blared and young boys sold the movement's white flag inscribed with the Islamic declaration of faith.

In Herat in the West, a crowd of Taliban supporters chanted: "Death to the Europeans, death to the Westerners, long live the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, death to the Americans."

An important celebration

As events kicked off in various cities, a military parade was cancelled in Kandahar, the cradle of the Taliban movement and from where reclusive Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada rules by decree.

Expected to include scores of military vehicles and weapons left behind by international forces after a weeks-long chaotic withdrawal, Akhundzada called off the parade himself so as not to disturb the public, provincial officials told journalists.

In Kabul, the education ministry hosted a celebration at a school in a part of the city once stacked with diplomats who are now thin on the ground — the Taliban government is still not formally recognised by any other country.

A medical student at an event at Kabul University said that it was important to mark the anniversary.

"We need to celebrate today. Today marks the end of the occupation in our country, and that is a good thing," 21-year-old Mortaza Khairi said.

The international community continues to grapple with how, and if, to engage with the Taliban authorities, with restrictions on women's rights — squeezed from public spaces and avenues to work and education — a key obstacle in negotiations over aid and recognition.

A group of UN experts hit out on Monday at pledges by Taliban authorities of a softer rule than during their first stint in power from 1996 until 2001.

"Despite reassurances by the Taliban de facto authorities that any restrictions, particularly in terms of access to education would be temporary, the facts on the ground have demonstrated an accelerated, systematic, and all-engulfing system of segregation, marginalisation and persecution," the experts said in a statement.

'Want their freedom back'

Afghan women ahead of the anniversary have expressed fear and despair over the loss of rights, a handful holding small demonstrations, many of their faces covered with masks.

However, Afghans also pointed to worry over an economic and humanitarian crisis in motion since the Taliban takeover, as aid dried up and sanctions were imposed.

Farmer Rahatullah Azizi said that he used to earn a living off his crops but now has "just enough to eat".

He expressed relief, however, that the security situation was better, noting he could now travel freely at night without fear of being mugged.

But while violence has fallen across Afghanistan in the past two years, the Daesh group remains a threat and tensions have risen with Pakistan over an increase of attacks in the countries' shared border areas.

Taliban authorities have pledged that Afghan territory won't be used by foreign militants to stage attacks abroad but it remains a sticking point.

While some Afghans celebrate the end of fighting and Taliban rule, others see August 15 as a grim reminder.

"All the girls and women of Afghanistan want their freedom back," said former student Hamasah Bawar ahead of the anniversary.