The United States is expressing concern that the newly named Taliban government in Afghanistan has no women.
“We note the announced list of names consists exclusively of individuals who are members of the Taliban or their close associates and no women. We also are concerned by the affiliations and track records of some of the individuals,” a spokesperson for the State Department said in a statement.
“We understand that the Taliban has presented this as a caretaker cabinet. However, we will judge the Taliban by its actions, not words,” the spokesperson added.
Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, a longtime top Taliban official, was named Afghanistan’s interim prime minister, with Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar tapped as his second-in-command.
Other top officials include Sirajuddin Haqqani, a member of the Taliban affiliate Haqqani network, and Mohammad Yaqoob, son of one of the founders of the Taliban.
The United States has said that it would not recognize a Taliban-led government if it was not inclusive. The Taliban said last month the terrorist group would form “an inclusive government” and initially said women could attend school and work.