View source for Supreme Leader of Afghanistan

{{Short description|Head of state of Afghanistan}}
{{EngvarB|date=February 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{pp-move-indef|small=yes}}
{{Infobox official post
| post                    = Supreme Leader
| body                    = the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
| native_name             = {{ubl|{{native name|ps|د افغانستان د اسلامي امارت مشر}}<br>{{small|{{transl|ps|Də Afġānistān Islāmī Imārat Damshīr}}}}|{{native name|prs|رهبر امارت اسلامی افغانستان}}<br>{{small|{{transl|prs|Rahbar-e Imārat-i Islāmī-yi Afghānistān}}}}}}
| insignia                = Arms of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.svg
| insigniasize            =
| insigniacaption         = [[Emblem of Afghanistan]]
| insigniaalt             =
| flag                    =
| flagsize                =
| flagalt                 =
| flagborder              =
| flagcaption             =
| image                   = Hibatullah Akhundzada.jpg
| imagesize               =
| alt                     =
| imagecaption            =
| incumbent               = [[Hibatullah Akhundzada]]
| acting                  =
| incumbentsince          = 15 August 2021<br>In exile from 25 May 2016
| department              = [[Government of Afghanistan#Leadership of the Islamic Emirate|Leadership of the Islamic Emirate]]
| style                   = {{plainlist|
*{{transl|ar|[[Amir al-Mu'minin]]}}
*[[His Excellency]]<ref name="Acting MoE Meets Amir-ul-Momineen">{{cite web |title=Acting Minister of Education Meets Esteemed Amir-ul-Momineen |url=https://alemarahenglish.af/?p=50028 |website=Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan – Voice of Jihad |access-date=11 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208142337/https://alemarahenglish.af/?p=50028 |archive-date=8 February 2022 |date=8 February 2022 |url-status=live |location=[[Kandahar]]}}</ref>
*[[His Highness]]<ref name="Acting MoE Meets Amir-ul-Momineen" />
*[[Respect|Esteemed]]<ref name="Acting MoE Meets Amir-ul-Momineen" />
}}
| type                    = Supreme leader
| status                  = [[Head of state]]
| abbreviation            =
| member_of               = [[Leadership Council of Afghanistan|Leadership Council]]
| reports_to              =
| residence               = None official<ref>{{cite news |last1=Constable |first1=Pamela |author-link=Pamela Constable |title=Taliban moving senior officials to Kandahar. Will it mean a harder line? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/06/04/kandahar-taliban-akhundzada-afghanistan/ |access-date=13 June 2023 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=4 June 2023}}</ref>
| seat                    = [[Kandahar]]
| nominator               =
| appointer               = Leadership Council
| appointer_qualified     =
| termlength              = [[Life tenure]]
| termlength_qualified    =
| constituting_instrument = [[Politics of Afghanistan#Constitution|1998 ''dastur'']]
| precursor               = [[President of Afghanistan]]
| inaugural               = [[Mullah Omar]]
| formation               = {{start date|df=y|2021|8|15}} (current form)<br>{{start date|df=y|1996|4|4}} (originally)
| founder                 =
| named_for               =
| first                   =
| last                    =
| abolished               =
| succession              =
| salary                  = {{currency|228750|AFN}} monthly
| website                 =
| footnotes               =
| deputy                  = [[#Deputy|Deputy Leader]]
}}
{{Politics of Afghanistan|expanded=Government}}
The '''Supreme Leader of Afghanistan'''<ref>{{cite news |title=Afghan supreme leader orders full implementation of sharia law |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/14/afghanistan-supreme-leader-orders-full-implementation-of-sharia-law-taliban |access-date=27 November 2022 |work=[[Agence France-Presse]] |agency=[[The Guardian]] |date=14 November 2022 |location=[[Kabul]]}}</ref> ({{langx|ps|د افغانستان مشر|Də Afġānistān Damshīr}}, {{langx|prs|رهبر افغانستان|Rahbar-e Afghānistān}}), officially the '''Supreme Leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=Message of Amir-ul-Mumineen Sheikh-ul-Hadith Hibatullah Akhundzadah, the Supreme Leader of IEA on the Arrival of Eid-ul-Fitr – Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan | date=29 April 2022 |url=https://alemarahenglish.af/?p=51604 |access-date=2022-04-29 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-08 |title=IEA leader gives order to round up Kabul beggars, provide them with jobs {{!}} Ariana News |url=https://www.ariananews.af/iea-leader-gives-order-to-round-up-kabul-beggars-provide-them-with-jobs/ |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=www.ariananews.af |language=en-US}}</ref>{{NoteTag|{{langx|ps|د افغانستان د اسلامي امارت مشر|Də Afġānistān Islāmī Imārat Damshīr}},<ref>{{cite news |title=Hibatullah Akhundzada reiterates his commitment to amnesty |url=https://tkg.af/pashto/2021/12/30/%D8%AF-%D8%B9%D9%81%D9%88%DB%90-%D9%BE%D8%B1-%D8%B9%D9%85%D9%84%D9%8A-%DA%A9%DB%90%D8%AF%D9%88-%D8%AF-%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF%D9%87/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |work=The Killid Group |date=30 December 2021 |language=ps}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=IEA's supreme leader calls on officials to adhere to amnesty orders |url=https://ariananews.af/ps/%D9%85%D9%84%DA%A9%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%88-%D9%BE%D9%88%DA%81%D9%8A-%DA%86%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%DA%A9%D9%8A-%D8%AF%DB%90-%D8%AF-%D8%A8%DA%9A%D9%86%DB%90-%D9%84%D9%87-%D8%B3%D9%BE%D8%A7%D8%B1%DA%9A%D8%AA/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |work=[[Ariana News]] |date=30 December 2021 |language=ps}}</ref> {{langx|prs|رهبر امارت اسلامی افغانستان|Rahbar-e Imārat-i Islāmī-yi Afghānistān}}<ref>{{cite news |title=IEA takes massive anti-drug step, bans poppy cultivation |url=https://ariananews.af/fa/%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D8%AA-%DA%A9%D9%88%DA%A9%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%81%D8%BA%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%B1/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |work=[[Ariana News]] |date=3 April 2022 |language=prs}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Taliban leadership council meets |url=https://tkg.af/2021/09/01/%D8%A8%D8%B1%DA%AF%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A8%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%B7%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%86/ |access-date=22 April 2022 |work=The Killid Group |date=1 September 2021 |language=prs}}</ref>}} and also styled by his religious title {{transl|ar|'''Amir al-Mu'minin'''}} ([[Arabic]], {{literal translation|'''Commander of the Faithful'''}}), is the absolute ruler, [[head of state]], and national religious leader of [[Afghanistan]], as well as the leader of the [[Taliban]].<ref name="supreme leader">{{cite news |last1=Ramachandran |first1=Sudha |title=What Role Will the Taliban's 'Supreme Leader' Play in the New Government? |url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/what-role-will-the-talibans-supreme-leader-play-in-the-new-government/ |access-date=5 March 2022 |work=[[The Diplomat]] |date=10 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="head of state">{{cite news |last1=Faulkner |first1=Charlie |title=Spiritual leader is Afghanistan's head of state — with bomb suspect set to be PM |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/spiritual-leader-is-afghanistans-head-of-state-with-bomb-suspect-set-to-be-pm-zw5k30b0r |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=[[The Times]] |date=3 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="VoA March 2023">{{cite news |last1=Dawi |first1=Akmal |title=Unseen Taliban Leader Wields Godlike Powers in Afghanistan |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/unseen-taliban-leader-wields-godlike-powers-in-afghanistan-/7026112.html |access-date=13 April 2023 |work=[[Voice of America]] |date=28 March 2023}}</ref> The supreme leader wields unlimited authority and is the ultimate source of all law.<ref name="VoA March 2023" /><ref name="UNSC May 2022">{{cite web |author1=T. S. Tirumurti |title=Letter dated 25 May 2022 from the Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) addressed to the President of the Security Council |url=https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3975071/files/S_2022_419-EN.pdf?ln=en |publisher=[[United Nations Security Council]] |access-date=2 May 2023 |date=26 May 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Kraemer |first1=Thomas |title=Afghanistan dispatch: Taliban leaders issue new orders on law-making process, enforcement of court orders from previous government |url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2022/11/afghanistan-dispatch-taliban-leaders-issue-new-orders-on-law-making-process-enforcement-of-court-orders-from-previous-government/ |access-date=1 May 2023 |work=[[JURIST]] |date=27 November 2022}}</ref>
The first supreme leader, [[Mullah Omar]], ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 before his government was overthrown by the United States and he was forced into exile. The current supreme leader is [[Hibatullah Akhundzada]], who assumed office in exile during the [[Taliban insurgency]] on 25 May 2016, upon being chosen by the [[Leadership Council of Afghanistan|Leadership Council]], and came to power on 15 August 2021 with the Taliban's victory over U.S.-backed forces in the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|2001–2021 war]]. Since coming to power, Akhundzada has issued [[List of decrees by Hibatullah Akhundzada|numerous decrees]] that have profoundly reshaped government and daily life in Afghanistan by implementing his strict interpretation of the [[Hanafi]] school of [[Sharia law]].
The supreme leader appoints and manages the activities of the [[Prime Minister of Afghanistan|prime minister]] and other members of the [[Cabinet of Afghanistan|Cabinet]], as well as judges and provincial and local leaders.<ref name="VoA March 2023" />
== History ==
The office was established by [[Mullah]] [[Mullah Omar|Mohammed Omar]], who founded both the [[Taliban]] and the [[Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (1996–2001)|original Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan]] in the 1990s. On 4 April 1996, in [[Kandahar]], followers of Omar bestowed upon him the title [[Amir al-Mu'minin]] (أمير المؤمنين), meaning "Commander of the Faithful", as Omar had donned [[Cloak of Muhammad|a cloak]] taken from [[Kirka Sharif|its shrine]] in the city, asserted to be that of the [[Prophets and messengers in Islam|Islamic prophet]] [[Muhammad in Islam|Muhammad]].<ref name="NYT Omar">{{cite news |last1=Weiner |first1=Tim |title=Man in the News; Seizing the Prophet's Mantle: Muhammad Omar |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/12/07/world/nation-challenged-leader-man-seizing-prophet-s-mantle-muhammad-omar.html |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=7 September 2001}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Kandahar-residents-feel-betrayed-2837764.php|website=www.sfgate.com|title=Kandahar residents feel betrayed|date=19 December 2001 |access-date=2021-08-17}}</ref> The Taliban seized control of Kabul on 27 September 1996, ousting President [[Burhanuddin Rabbani]] and installing Omar as the country's head of state.<ref>{{cite news |title=Afghan forces routed as Kabul falls |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/september/27/newsid_2539000/2539973.stm |access-date=12 May 2023 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=27 September 1996}}</ref>
The Taliban views the [[Quran]] as its constitution. However, it approved a ''dastur'', a document akin to a [[basic law]], in 1998, which proclaimed Omar supreme leader but did not outline a succession process. In 1996 interview, [[Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil]] stated that the Amir al-Mu'minin is "only for Afghanistan", rather than a [[caliph]] claiming leadership of all Muslims worldwide.<ref name="NYU">{{cite web |last1=Osman |first1=Borhan |last2=Gopal |first2=Anand |title=Taliban Views on a Future State |url=https://cic.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/taliban_future_state_final.pdf |publisher=[[Center on International Cooperation]] |access-date=26 November 2022 |date=July 2016 |archive-date=16 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816135549/https://cic.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/taliban_future_state_final.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="MEI">{{cite web |last1=Ahmad |first1=Javid |title=The Taliban's religious roadmap for Afghanistan |url=https://www.mei.edu/publications/talibans-religious-roadmap-afghanistan |website=[[Middle East Institute]] |access-date=26 November 2022 |date=26 January 2022}}</ref>
Following the [[September 11 attacks]] and the [[United States invasion of Afghanistan]] in 2001, Omar was deposed and went into hiding in [[Zabul Province]], and the [[President of Afghanistan|presidency]] was restored as Afghanistan's head of state. The Taliban reorganized for [[Taliban insurgency|an insurgency]] in 2002, based out of Pakistan. They continued to claim Omar as their supreme leader, though he had little involvement in the insurgency, having turned over operational control to his deputies.<ref name="Bette Dam">{{cite web |last1=Dam |first1=Bette |title=The Secret Life of Mullah Omar |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bf5692f4611a019a7c69ea6/t/5c77f4fdeef1a10b17f2abda/1551365379168/Secret+Life+of+Mullah+Omar-FINAL3.pdf |publisher=Zomia Center |access-date=11 May 2023 |date=2019 |archive-date=6 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221006050701/http://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bf5692f4611a019a7c69ea6/t/5c77f4fdeef1a10b17f2abda/1551365379168/Secret+Life+of+Mullah+Omar-FINAL3.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> Though the Taliban continued to maintain the office of the supreme leader in exile, it had no diplomatic recognition.
Following its [[2021 Taliban offensive|offensive]] in 2021, the Taliban [[Fall of Kabul (2021)|recaptured Kabul]] on 15 August and restored the supreme leader as Afghanistan's head of state.<ref name="guardian15">{{Cite news |last1=Mistlin |first1=Alex |last2=Sullivan |first2=Helen |last3=Harding |first3=Luke |last4=Harding |first4=Luke |last5=Borger |first5=Julian |last6=Mason |first6=Rowena |date=15 August 2021 |title=Afghanistan: Kabul to shift power to 'transitional administration' after Taliban enter city – live updates |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/aug/15/afghanistan-taliban-close-in-on-kabul-as-last-government-stronghold-in-north-falls|access-date=15 August 2021 |issn=0261-3077|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815103044/https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2021/aug/15/afghanistan-taliban-close-in-on-kabul-as-last-government-stronghold-in-north-falls|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/513486/afghanistan-heavy-fighting-ongoing-on-the-outskirts-of-kabul-as-of-early-aug-15-a-total-blackout-reported-in-the-city |title=Afghanistan: Heavy fighting ongoing on the outskirts of Kabul as of early Aug. 15; a total blackout reported in the city|access-date=15 August 2021|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815010510/https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/513486/afghanistan-heavy-fighting-ongoing-on-the-outskirts-of-kabul-as-of-early-aug-15-a-total-blackout-reported-in-the-city|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 August 2021 |title=Taliban officials: there will be no transitional government in Afghanistan |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-officials-there-will-be-no-transitional-government-afghanistan-2021-08-15/|access-date=15 August 2021 |website=Reuters|archive-date=15 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815160956/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-officials-there-will-be-no-transitional-government-afghanistan-2021-08-15/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="head of state" />
== Selection ==
{{expand section|date=August 2021}}
The supreme leader is appointed by the [[Leadership Council of Afghanistan|Leadership Council]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burke |first1=Jason |title=The Taliban leaders in line to become de facto rulers of Afghanistan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/aug/17/the-taliban-leaders-in-line-to-become-de-facto-rulers-of-afghanistan |access-date=24 January 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 August 2021}}</ref>
== Powers and duties ==
{{expand section|date=August 2021}}
Under Omar, the leader held absolute power, and the Taliban's interpretation of [[Sharia]] was entirely his decision.
Under the 1998 draft constitution of the first Islamic Emirate, the Leader of the Faithful would appoint justices of the [[Supreme Court of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan|Supreme Court]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iconnectblog.com/2021/04/beyond-republic-or-emirate-afghan-constitutional-system-at-crossroads/|website=www.iconnectblog.com|title=Beyond Republic or Emirate: Afghan Constitutional System at Crossroads|access-date=2021-08-17|archive-date=17 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817000644/http://www.iconnectblog.com/2021/04/beyond-republic-or-emirate-afghan-constitutional-system-at-crossroads/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Under the current government however, the Emir has final authority on political appointments, as well as political, religious, and military affairs. The Emir carries out much of his work through the Rabbari Shura, or the [[Leadership Council of Afghanistan|Leadership Council]] (which he chairs<ref>{{cite web |title=Three-day meeting of the Leadership Council of Islamic Emirate headed by esteemed Amir-ul-mumineen held in Kandahar |url=https://alemarahenglish.af/?p=48355 |website=[[Government of Afghanistan|Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan]] |access-date=17 June 2022 |date=31 August 2021}}</ref>), based in [[Kandahar]], which oversees the work of the [[Cabinet of Afghanistan|Cabinet]], and appointment of individuals to key posts within the cabinet.<ref>{{Cite web|title=What Role Will the Taliban's 'Supreme Leader' Play in the New Government?|url=https://thediplomat.com/2021/09/what-role-will-the-talibans-supreme-leader-play-in-the-new-government/|access-date=2021-09-24|website=thediplomat.com|language=en-US}}</ref>
However, in a report from [[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]], the Cabinet has no authority, with all decisions being made confidentially by Akhundzada and the Leadership Council.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Latifi|first=Ali M.|title=Taliban divisions deepen as hardliners seek spoils of war|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/9/23/how-deep-are-divisions-among-the-taliban|access-date=2021-09-24|website=www.aljazeera.com|language=en}}</ref> The supreme leader receives the highest government salary in the reinstated Islamic Emirate, at {{currency|228750|AFN|first=y}} monthly.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hakimi |first1=Amina |title=Senior Officials' Salaries Reduced: MoF |url=https://tolonews.com/business-175746 |access-date=21 February 2022 |work=[[TOLOnews]] |date=5 December 2021}}</ref>
== List of supreme leaders ==
{{About|the leadership history of the Taliban|a complete list of Afghanistan's leaders|List of heads of state of Afghanistan#Non-monarchs|section=yes}}
{{clear right}}
;Status
{{legend|#E6E6AA|Denotes Acting Supreme Leader}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
!rowspan=2|{{Abbr|No.|Number}}
<!--! rowspan=2| Portrait-->
! rowspan=2| Name<br />{{small|(Birth–death)}}
! rowspan=2| Additional position(s) held
! colspan=3| Term of office (including in exile)
! rowspan=2| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
! Took office
! Left office
! Time in office
|-
| 1
<!--| [[File:No image.svg|100px|link=|alt=]]-->
| {{small|[[Mullah]]}}<br />'''[[Mullah Omar|Mohammed Omar]]'''<br />{{small|(died 2013)}}
| –
| {{start date|1996|4|4|df=y}}<br>{{small|Ruler of Afghanistan<br>from {{start date|1996|9|27|df=y}}}}
| {{end date|2013|4|23|df=y}}<br>{{small|Ruler of Afghanistan<br>until {{end date|2001|11|13|df=y}}}}
| {{Age in years and days nts|1996|4|4|2013|4|23}}<br>{{small|Ruler of Afghanistan<br>for {{Age in years and days nts|1996|9|27|2001|11|13}}}}
| <ref name="NYT Omar" /><ref>{{cite news |title=Afghanistan: Who's who in the Taliban leadership |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-58235639 |access-date=12 January 2022 |work=[[BBC News]] |date=7 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="CNN-1260772">{{cite news |author1=CNN Umair |title=Mullah Omar: Life chapter of Taliban's supreme leader comes to end |url=http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1260772 |access-date=17 August 2021 |work=ireport.cnn.com |publisher=CNN |date=29 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305174422/http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1260772 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |location=Faisalabad, Pakistan}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=2|2
<!--| rowspan=2|[[File:No image.svg|100px|link=|alt=]]-->
| rowspan=2|{{small|Mullah}}<br />'''[[Akhtar Mansour]]'''<br />{{small|(1960s–2016)}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| First Deputy Leader (2010–2015)
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{start date|2013|4|23|df=y}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{end date|2015|7|29|df=y}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{Age in years and days nts|2013|4|23|2015|7|29}}{{NoteTag|Mullah Omar's death was concealed from the public and most of the Taliban. The same day news of Omar's death became public, Mansour was elected Supreme Leader.}}
| rowspan=2| <ref name="The New York Times">{{cite news |last1=Goldstein |first1=Joseph |title=Taliban's New Leader Strengthens His Hold With Intrigue and Battlefield Victory |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/05/world/asia/kunduz-fall-validates-mullah-akhtar-muhammad-mansour-talibans-new-leader.html |access-date=23 January 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=4 October 2015}}</ref><ref name="Reuters">{{cite news |title=Taliban sources - Afghan Taliban appoint Mansour as leader |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-leader/taliban-sources-afghan-taliban-appoint-mansour-as-leader-idINKCN0Q41FQ20150730 |access-date=24 January 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=30 July 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Taliban resignation points to extent of internal divisions in leadership crisis |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/04/taliban-resignation-divisions-leadership-qatar-mullah-omar |access-date=25 January 2022 |work=[[Agence France-Presse]] |agency=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 August 2015 |location=[[Kabul]]}}</ref>
|-
| –
| {{start date|2015|7|29|df=y}}
| {{end date|2016|5|21|df=y}}
| {{Age in years and days nts|2015|7|29|2016|5|21}}
|-
| rowspan=2| 3
<!--| DO NOT ADD PHOTO HERE, PER WP:NFLISTS rowspan=2|[[File:No image.svg|100px|link=|alt=]]-->
| rowspan=2|{{small|[[Sheikh al-Hadith]]<br />Mullah<br />[[Mawlawi (Islamic title)|Mawlawi]]}}<br />'''[[Hibatullah Akhundzada]]'''
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| First Deputy Leader (2015–2016) and<br>[[Chief Justice of Afghanistan|Chief Justice]] (2001–2016)
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{start date|2016|5|21|df=y}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{end date|2016|5|25|df=y}}
| style="background:#e6e6aa;"| {{Age in years and days nts|2016|5|21|2016|5|25}}
| rowspan=2| <ref name="BBC-36375975">{{cite news |title=Afghan Taliban announce successor to Mullah Mansour |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36375975 |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=25 May 2016 |access-date=25 May 2016 |archive-date=18 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418040519/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36375975 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Mellen |first1=Ruby |title=The Taliban has decided on its government. Here's who could lead the organization. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2021/08/16/taliban-leaders-afghanistan/ |access-date=28 November 2021 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=3 September 2021}}</ref><ref name="head of state" />
|-
| –
| {{start date|2016|5|25|df=y}}<br>{{small|Ruler of Afghanistan<br>since {{start date|2021|8|15|df=y}}}}
| ''Incumbent''
| {{Age in years and days nts|2016|5|25}}<br>{{small|Ruler of Afghanistan<br>for {{Age in years and days nts|2021|8|15}}}}
|}
=== Timeline ===
{{#tag:timeline|ImageSize=width:900 height:auto barincrement:21
PlotArea  = top:10 bottom:80 right:130 left:20
AlignBars = late
Define $today = {{#time:d/m/Y}}
Colors =
id:gray1  value:gray(0.85) legend:Acting
id:gray2  value:gray(0.95)
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period     = from:04/04/1996 till:$today
TimeAxis   = orientation:horizontal
ScaleMajor = gridcolor:gray1 unit:year increment:5 start:1997
ScaleMinor = gridcolor:gray2 unit:year increment:1 start:1998
Legend     = columns:1 left:540 top:50 columnwidth:170
BarData =
bar:Omar
bar:Mansour
bar:Akhundzada
PlotData =
width:5 align:left fontsize:9 shift:(5,-4) anchor:till
bar:Omar
from: 04/04/1996 till: 23/04/2013 color:black text:"[[Mullah Omar]]"
bar:Mansour
from: 23/04/2013 till: 29/07/2015 color:gray1
from: 29/07/2015 till: 21/05/2016 color:black text:"[[Akhtar Mansour]]"
bar:Akhundzada
from: 21/05/2016 till: 25/05/2016 color:gray1
from: 25/05/2016 till: $today color:black text:"[[Hibatullah Akhundzada]]"
}}
== Deputy Leaders {{anchor|Deputy}}==
{{Infobox official post
| post = Deputy Leaders
| body = the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
| native_name = {{ubl|{{native name|ps|د افغانستان د اسلامي امارت مرستیال}}|{{native name|prs|معاون امارت اسلامی افغانستان}}}}
| flag =
| flagsize =
| flagalt =
| flagborder =
| flagcaption =
| insignia = Arms of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.svg
| insigniacaption = [[Emblem of Afghanistan]]
| image = {{image array|perrow = 2 |height=160 |width=120
| image1 = Sirajuddin Haqqani (cropped).png   | caption1 = <span style="font-size: 110%;">Haqqani</span>  |link1 = Sirajuddin Haqqani
| image2 = Mullah Yaqoob in January 2022.png  | caption2 = <span style="font-size: 110%;">Yaqoob</span>   |link2 = Mullah Yaqoob
}}{{pb}}{{image array|perrow=1|height=160|width=120|image1=Abdul Ghani Baradar.jpg|caption1=<span style="font-size: 110%;">Baradar</span>|link1=Abdul Ghani Baradar}}
| imagecaption = '''Incumbents'''{{plainlist|
*'''[[Sirajuddin Haqqani]]''' (First)<br>'''[[Mullah Yaqoob]]''' (Second)<br>since 15 August 2021<br>In exile from 25 May 2016
*'''[[Abdul Ghani Baradar]]''' (Third)<br>since 15 August 2021<br> In exile from 24 January 2019
}}
| department = [[Government of Afghanistan#Leadership of the Islamic Emirate|Leadership of the Islamic Emirate]]
| style =
| type =
| status = Deputy [[head of state]]
| abbreviation =
| member_of = [[Leadership Council of Afghanistan|Leadership Council]]<ref name="CTC Sentinel nq">{{cite journal |last1=Jones |first1=Seth G. |title=Afghanistan's Future Emirate? The Taliban and the Struggle for Afghanistan |journal=CTC Sentinel |date=December 2020 |volume=13 |issue=11 |url=https://ctc.usma.edu/afghanistans-future-emirate-the-taliban-and-the-struggle-for-afghanistan/ |access-date=11 February 2022 |publisher=[[Combating Terrorism Center]] |archive-date=11 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211092128/https://ctc.usma.edu/afghanistans-future-emirate-the-taliban-and-the-struggle-for-afghanistan/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| reports_to = [[#Top|Supreme Leader]]<ref name="VOA organization">{{cite news |last1=Sayed |first1=Abdul |title=Analysis: How Are the Taliban Organized? |url=https://www.voanews.com/amp/us-afghanistan-troop-withdrawal_analysis-how-are-taliban-organized/6219266.html |access-date=19 April 2022 |work=[[Voice of America]] |date=8 September 2021 |quote=This leadership structure remains in place, with Shaikh Hibatullah Akhundzada serving as supreme leader, aided by the three deputies}}</ref>
| residence =
| seat = [[Kandahar]] (Yaqoob)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Inskeep |first1=Steve |last2=Qazizai |first2=Fazelminallah |title=We visited a Taliban leader's compound to examine his vision for Afghanistan |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/08/05/1115388675/taliban-afghanistan-leader-us-relationship |access-date=8 May 2023 |work=[[NPR]] |date=5 August 2022 |location=[[Kandahar]]}}</ref>
| nominator =
| appointer = Supreme Leader
| appointer_qualified =
| termlength = [[At His Majesty's pleasure|At the pleasure of the supreme leader]]
| termlength_qualified =
| constituting_instrument =
| precursor = [[Vice President of Afghanistan]]
| formation = {{start date|df=y|2021|8|15}} (current form)<br>{{start date|df=y|1996|4|4}} (originally)
| inaugural = [[Mohammad Rabbani]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Elias |first1=Barbara |title=The Taliban Biography – Documents on the Structure and Leadership of the Taliban 1996-2002 |url=https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu/NSAEBB/NSAEBB295/Taliban_Structure.pdf |website=[[National Security Archive]] |publisher=[[George Washington University]] |access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref>
| first =
| last =
| abolished =
| succession = [[Acting (law)|Acting]] (in order of deputy rank)<ref name="The New York Times" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Donnell |first1=Lynne |last2=Khan |first2=Mirwais |title=Taliban Leadership in Disarray on Verge of Peace Talks |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/05/29/taliban-leadership-disarray-coronavirus-covid-peace-talks/ |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=29 May 2020}}</ref>
| unofficial_names =
| deputy =
| salary =
| website =
| footnotes =
}}
The '''deputy leader of Afghanistan''', officially the '''deputy leader of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan''' ({{langx|ps|د افغانستان د اسلامي امارت مرستیال}},<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Mujahid |first=Zabiullah |author-link=Zabiullah Mujahid |user=Zabehulah_M33 |number=1099873168934817792 |date=24 February 2019 |script-title=fa:د اسلامي امارت مرستیال او د سیاسي دفتر مشر محترم ملاعبدالغني برادر پخیر سره دوحې ته ورسید |trans-title=The Deputy Leader of the Islamic Emirate and Head of the Political Office, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Pakhir arrived in Doha. |language=ps |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>{{romanization needed}} {{langx|prs|معاون امارت اسلامی افغانستان}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Shaheen |first=Suhail |author-link=Suhail Shaheen |user=suhailshaheen1 |number=1263244063656030209 |date=20 May 2020 |script-title=fa:معاون امارت اسلامی محترم ملا برادر اخند و هیئت همراهش با داکتر زلمی خلیلزاد و هیئت همراهش چند نشست پی هم نمود |trans-title=The Deputy Leader of the Islamic Emirate, Mullah Baradar Akhund, and his accompanying delegation met several times with Dr. Zalmai Khalilzad and his accompanying delegation. |language=prs |access-date=22 April 2022}}</ref>{{romanization needed}}), is the deputy [[emir]] of the Taliban, tasked with assisting the supreme leader with his duties.<ref name="VOA deputy emir">{{cite news |last1=Seldin |first1=Jeff |title=How Afghanistan's Militant Groups Are Evolving Under Taliban Rule |url=https://www.voanews.com/amp/how-afghanistan-s-militant-groups-are-evolving-under-taliban-rule/6492194.html |access-date=22 April 2022 |work=[[Voice of America]] |date=20 March 2022 |quote=Haqqani has a $10 million bounty on his head from the U.S. government and works as a deputy emir of the Taliban}}</ref><ref name="VOA organization" /> All three supreme leaders of the Taliban have had deputies, with the number of deputies fluctuating between one and three.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Ruttig |first1=Thomas |title=Have the Taliban Changed? |journal=CTC Sentinel |date=March 2021 |volume=14 |issue=3 |url=https://ctc.usma.edu/have-the-taliban-changed/ |access-date=11 February 2022 |publisher=[[Combating Terrorism Center]] |archive-date=11 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220211081040/https://ctc.usma.edu/have-the-taliban-changed/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Akhundzada has three deputies: [[Sirajuddin Haqqani]], [[Mullah Yaqoob]], and [[Abdul Ghani Baradar]]. Haqqani was first appointed as a deputy leader by [[Akhtar Mansour]] in 2015, and was retained by Akhundzada. Upon assuming office in 2016, Akhundzada appointed Yaqoob, a son of Mullah Omar, as a second deputy. Akhundzada appointed Baradar as a third deputy in 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sayed |first1=Abdul |title=Analysis: How Are the Taliban Organized? |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/us-afghanistan-troop-withdrawal_analysis-how-are-taliban-organized/6219266.html |access-date=23 January 2022 |work=[[Voice of America]] |date=8 September 2021}}</ref>
Since the 2021 return of power to the Taliban, Akhundzada has grown more isolated and he has primarily communicated through his three deputies rather than holding meetings with other Taliban leaders. The deputies' exclusive access to Akhundzada has grown their power.<ref name="UNSC May 2022" /><ref name="Amanpour after interview">{{Cite tweet |author=CNN International PR |author-link=CNN International |user=cnnipr |number=1526231860866580483 |date=16 May 2022 |title=In an exclusive interview CNN's chief international anchor @amanpour spoke with one of the Taliban's top leaders Sirajuddin Haqqani |script-title= |retweet=[[Christiane Amanpour]] |location=[[Kabul]] |access-date=6 May 2023}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Government of Afghanistan]]
* [[History of Afghanistan]]
* [[List of heads of state of Afghanistan]]
* [[List of Taliban insurgency leaders]]
* [[Politics of Afghanistan]]
* [[President of Afghanistan]]
* [[Supreme Leader of Iran]]
* [[Supreme Leader (North Korean title)]]
==Notes==
{{notelist}}
{{NoteFoot}}
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Heads of state of Afghanistan}}
{{Heads of state and government of Asia}}
{{Taliban}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Leader Of The Islamic Emirate Of Afghanistan}}
[[Category:Supreme leaders of Afghanistan|*]]
[[Category:Lists of political office-holders in Afghanistan|Leader of the Islamic Emirate]]
[[Category:1996 establishments in Afghanistan|Leader of the Islamic Emirate]]