The Dual Face of the Taliban Governor: From Corruption and Theft in Daikundi to Security Claims in Kabul.
Mawlavi Aminullah Ubaid, Taliban governor of Kabul, emphasized “maintaining security and order” in a threatening tone during a Ministry of Promotion of Virtue meeting and urged citizens to remain loyal to the Taliban to “strengthen the ruling system.” He warned that the Taliban would not allow any individual or group to interfere in their internal or external affairs and reiterated that “opponents must be eliminated.”
However, local accounts and people’s experiences paint a very different picture.
For many residents of Daikundi, Ubaid is not a symbol of security but is associated with intimidation, extortion, and violent behavior. Following his appointment as governor of Daikundi in November 2021, he transformed the province into an example of power centralization and political repression under Taliban rule.
Reports indicate that Ubaid appointed relatives and trusted associates to key government positions without administrative criteria and demanded bribes and concessions from domestic and international aid organizations.
As a result, more than 19 aid organizations suspended operations in Daikundi, and several development and reconstruction projects were transferred to other regions, including Pashtun-majority provinces.
