Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada on Saturday strongly condemned the decree signed by the US president. Donald Trump banning Afghan citizens from entering the United States. In a statement released on the occasion of Eid al-Adha, Akhundzada called the United States an "oppressor" and accused Washington of violating human rights, while calling for the reintegration of Afghans who have fled their country.
The Taliban's supreme leader's verbal attack is the first public reaction from the Afghan Islamist regime since the Trump administration announced this week that it had banned citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan. The measure aims to restrict access to the US for both temporary stays—such as studies—and those seeking permanent resettlement.
In a 45-minute audio recording released by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on X (formerly Twitter), Akhundzada denounced the discriminatory measure: "Citizens of 12 countries are banned from entering their territories—Afghans too. Why? Because they claim our government doesn't control its people. Oppressive! Is this your idea of friendship with humanity?"
The Taliban leader also linked the ban to the violence in Palestine, accusing the United States of being responsible for the deaths of women and children in Gaza. "You are committing acts that exceed the limits of tolerance," he said.
On the US side, the Trump administration justifies this ban on national security grounds, claiming that Afghanistan is unable to ensure reliable vetting procedures, that official documents are unsafe, and that Afghan visa overstay rates are high. Washington had already suspended its Afghan refugee resettlement program in January, leaving tens of thousands of people who had cooperated with the United States in limbo.
Meanwhile, Taliban Prime Minister Mohammad Hassan Akhund called on exiled Afghans to return home, promising them safety and support. "No one will harm you," he said, urging his compatriots to "return to the land of their ancestors and live in peace." He also criticized international media for what he called "misjudgements" about the Islamist regime's policies.
Since returning to power in August 2021, following the hasty withdrawal of US and NATO troops, the Taliban have imposed an authoritarian regime marked by severe restrictions on women's rights. The regime, which remains unrecognized by the international community, nevertheless maintains diplomatic relations with certain countries, notably China and Russia.
Meanwhile, Afghans who fled to Pakistan in the hope of resettlement in third countries, such as the United States, also find themselves threatened with deportation by Pakistani authorities. Nearly a million of them are estimated to have already left the country since October 2023 to avoid arrest and deportation.
