Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai
{{Short description|Afghan politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix =
| name = Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai
{{nq|شیر محمد عباس ستانکزی}}
| native_name =
| image = Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai (cropped).jpg
| caption = Stanikzai in 2020
| alt =
| order =
| office = Acting Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
| status =
| term_start = 7 September 2021
| term_end = 27 January 2025
| 1blankname = Supreme Leader
| 1namedata = Hibatullah Akhundzada
| 2blankname = Minister
| 2namedata = Amir Khan Muttaqi (acting)
| predecessor =
| successor = Naeem Wardak (2025)
| term_start1 = c. 1996
| term_end1 = December 2001
| 1blankname1 = Supreme Leader
| 1namedata1 = Mohammed Omar
| 2blankname1 = Minister
| 2namedata1 = Mohammad Ghous
Abdul Jalil
Hasan Akhund
Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil
| predecessor1 =
| successor1 =
| office2 = Head of the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
| term_start2 = November 2015
| term_end2 = 24 January 2019
Acting: 6 August 2015 – November 2015
| predecessor2 = Tayyab Agha
| successor2 = Abdul Ghani Baradar
| 1blankname2 = Supreme Leader
| 1namedata2 = {{ubl|Akhtar Mansour|Hibatullah Akhundzada}}
| office3 = Deputy Minister of Public Health
| term_start3 = 1998
| term_end3 = 2001
| 1blankname3 = Supreme Leader
| 1namedata3 = Mohammed Omar
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1963}}
| birth_place = Baraki Barak, Logar, Kingdom of Afghanistan
| birthname =
| blank1 = Political affiliation
| data1 = Taliban
| party =
| otherparty =
| spouse =
| children =
| residence =
| alma_mater = University of Kabul
Indian Military Academy
| profession =
| cabinet =
| committees =
| portfolio =
| signature =
| signature_alt =
| website =
| footnotes =
| nickname =
| allegiance = {{flag|Democratic Republic of Afghanistan}}
Islamic Revolution Movement
{{flagicon image|}} Islamic Dawah Organisation of Afghanistan
{{flag|Taliban}} (1990s–present)
| branch = 23px Afghan Army
| serviceyears =
| rank = 11px Lieutenant
| unit =
| commands =
| battles = Soviet–Afghan War
Afghan Civil War (1989–1992)
Afghan Civil War (1992–1996)
War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
| occupation = Politician, Taliban member
}}
Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai ({{Langx|ps|شیر محمد عباس ستانکزئی}} {{IPA|ps|ʃɪr mʊˈhamad aˈbɑs stɑnɪkˈzai|}}; born 1963) is an Afghan politician, a senior member of the Afghan Taliban and the country's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in the internationally unrecognized Taliban regime from 7 September 2021 to 27 January 2025.
He was an officer in the Afghan Army after training at an army academy in India. He defected from the army and joined Islamic movements to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan. He was a deputy cabinet minister in the first Taliban government. He has been a senior member of the Taliban's political office in Doha since it was set up in 2012, and was its head from 2015 to 2020. He speaks English, Urdu, Pashto, and Dari and has travelled widely to other countries as a Taliban political representative. On 7 September 2021, Sher Abbas was appointed as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.{{Cite web|date=September 7, 2021|title=Mullah Akhund to head 'caretaker' Taliban government in Afghanistan with Baradar, Hanafi as deputies|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/afghanistan-taliban-caretaker-new-government-kabul-mullah-akhund-baradar-haqqani-1850283-2021-09-07|access-date=2021-09-08|website=India Today|language=en}} On 18 January 2025, he gave a speech in favor of girls' education and women's rights. On 27 January 2025, Afghanistan International reported that he had left Afghanistan after Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada issued an exit ban and arrest warrant against him.{{cite news |last1=Levitt |first1=Tom |last2=Joya |first2=Zahra |title=Taliban minister ‘forced to flee Afghanistan’ after speech in support of girls’ education |url=https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/feb/03/mohammad-abbas-stanikzai-taliban-minister-flees-afghanistan-over-support-girls-education |access-date=10 February 2025 |work=The Guardian |date=3 February 2025}}
Biography and early life
Stanikzai was born in 1963 in the Abbas Qala area in the Shah Mazar area of the Baraki Barak District, in the Logar Province of Afghanistan.[https://sanctions.lursoft.lv/person/sher-mohammad-abbas-stanekzai-padshah-khan/uk-7468 Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai]. Sanctions. Lursoft. He is the son of Pacha Khan and is an ethnic Pashtun of the Stanikzai subtribe. He studied political science in Afghanistan, gaining a master's degree. He can speak English, Urdu, Pashto, and Dari.{{cite news |url= https://pajhwok.com/2020/09/10/biographies-intra-afghan-peace-talks-negotiators/ |title=Biographies of intra-Afghan peace talks negotiators |author=Ahmad Shah Erfanyar |date=10 September 2020 |work=Pajhwok Afghan News |access-date=4 September 2021}}
He trained as a soldier at the Army Cadet College of the Indian Army at Nowgaon in India for three years from 1979 to 1982 under an Indo-Afghan cooperation programme. He was also an officer cadet for a year and a half{{cite web |title=Army veterans remember top Taliban leader Stanikzai as 'Sheru' from 1982 IMA batch |url= https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/army-veterans-remember-top-taliban-leader-stanikzai-1843098-2021-08-20 |website=India Today |access-date=28 August 2021 |language=English}} with the Keren Company of the Bhagat Battalion at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun, one of 45 foreign cadets in the Keren Company. The Indian Military Academy trained cadets from a number of other countries in Asia and Africa. His fellow cadets nicknamed him "Sheru".{{cite news |title=Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai: Top Taliban leader trained with Indian Army |date=1 September 2021 |url= https://www.cnbctv18.com/world/top-taliban-leader-sher-mohammad-abbas-stanikzai-aka-sheru-trained-with-indian-army-10577301.htm |newspaper=CNBC TV18 |access-date=4 September 2021}} After graduating he was a lieutenant in the Afghan Army.{{cite web |last1=Ghosh |first1=Poulomi |title=Who is Taliban leader 'Sheru', once trained at Dehradun's military academy? |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/who-is-taliban-leader-sheru-once-trained-at-dehradun-s-military-academy-101629557131660.html |publisher=Hindustan Times |access-date=28 August 2021 |language=English |date=21 August 2021}}
He defected from the army to fight against the Soviets in the Soviet–Afghan War,{{Cite web |url= https://indianexpress.com/article/world/asia/ashraf-ghani-slams-pakistan-for-waging-undeclared-war/ |title=Ashraf Ghani slams Pakistan for waging 'undeclared war' |date=2015-06-02|website=The Indian Express|language=en-IN|access-date=2019-10-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/ima-talib-a-key-figure-in-doha-talks-with-us/story-wLHOiZIXya8jEjnyAvgJpJ.html|title='IMA Talib' a key figure in Doha talks with US|date=2013-06-28|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|access-date=2019-10-25|archive-date=2019-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191025111833/https://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/ima-talib-a-key-figure-in-doha-talks-with-us/story-wLHOiZIXya8jEjnyAvgJpJ.html|url-status=dead}} first with Mohammad Nabi Mohammadi's Islamic and National Revolution Movement of Afghanistan, then with Abdul Rasul Sayyaf's Islamic Union for the Liberation of Afghanistan, as commander of its south-western front.{{Cite web|url=http://www.afghan-bios.info/index.php?option=com_afghanbios&id=2486&task=view&total=3060&start=2668&Itemid=2|title=Database|website=afghan-bios.info}} He had a role with Sayyaf in liaison with Pakistani military intelligence. He was more urbane than most Afghan mujahideen, and when in Quetta, Pakistan, in the 1980s he often dined at restaurants with his wife. Other mujahideen gossiped about this; in return Stanikzai criticised them for their old-fashioned ideas about keeping women secluded in their homes.{{cite news |title=The president, the envoy and the talib: 3 lives shaped by war and study abroad |first=Mujib |last=Mashal |date=16 February 2019 |newspaper=New York Times}}
Taliban rule (1996–2001)
Stanikzai joined the Taliban in the 1990s. After they took power in 1996 he served as deputy minister of foreign affairs under foreign affairs minister Wakil Ahmed Muttawakil. Though he was reportedly not trusted by Muttawakil, foreign media often interviewed him, as he speaks English well. He traveled to Washington, D.C. as acting foreign minister on 24 September 1997 to ask the Clinton administration to extend diplomatic recognition to Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/09/24/world/islamic-rule-weighs-heavily-for-afghans.html|title=Islamic Rule Weighs Heavily for Afghans|first=John F.|last=Burns|website=New York Times|date=24 September 1997}} In 1998 he reportedly drew the ire of Taliban leader Mohammed Omar, possibly related to issues of abuse of power and a loose attitude to alcohol, and was removed from his position and placed under house arrest. However, his connections with the Pakistani military intelligence agency, which had influence over the Taliban leadership, worked in his favour and a few months later he was appointed as deputy minister of health, albeit a less important position than in foreign affairs. Stanikzai denied misconduct and put his change of role down to routine ministerial changes.
Taliban political representative (2001–2021)
File:Secretary Pompeo Meets with the Taliban Negotiation Team (50632321483).jpg (left) and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (obscured), Doha, Qatar on 21 November 2020]]
Stanikzai arrived in Qatar with Tayyab Agha and others in January 2012 to facilitate the opening of the Taliban's political office in that country.{{cite news |title=Taliban diplomats arrive in Qatar |first=Ben |last=Farmer |date=26 January 2012 |url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/afghanistan/9041544/Taliban-diplomats-arrive-in-Qatar.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=27 August 2021}} On 6 August 2015 he was appointed acting head of the political office, replacing Agha, who had resigned. After his appointment, Stanikzai pledged his allegiance to Akhtar Mansour, saying "I and other members of the Political Office of the Islamic Emirate declare allegiance to the honorable Mullah Akhtar Mansoor." He was confirmed in his position as head of the political office in November 2015.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-taliban-idUSKBN0TD1QL20151124|title=Taliban appoint top official to Qatar political office|date=24 November 2015|work=Reuters}}{{cite web|url=https://www.counterextremism.com/extremists/sher-mohammad-abbas-stanekzai-padshah-khan|title=Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai Padshah Khan|date=26 June 2017|publisher=}}{{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}}
From July 18–22, 2016, he traveled to China for talks with Chinese officials.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-taliban-china-idUSKCN10A09H|title=Afghan Taliban delegation visits China to discuss unrest: sources|date=30 July 2016|work=Reuters}} In February 2017, Stanikzai was denied entry to the United Arab Emirates.{{cite web|url=https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/taliban-envoys-barred-entering-uae|title=Taliban Envoys Barred From Entering UAE - TOLOnews|publisher=}}
From August 7–10, 2018, he led a delegation of Taliban officials to Uzbekistan. The delegation met with Uzbekistan's Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov and Uzbekistan's special representative to Afghanistan Ismatilla Irgashev.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-afghanistan-taliban/afghan-taliban-delegation-visits-uzbekistan-to-talk-security-power-lines-idUSKBN1KX056|title=Afghan Taliban delegation visits Uzbekistan to talk security, power...|date=12 August 2018|work=Reuters}} From August 12–15, he traveled to Indonesia for talks with officials, meeting Indonesian First Vice President Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, Indonesia Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and Hamid Awaluddin, Indonesia's special representative for Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=https://www.tolonews.com/afghanistan/taliban%C2%A0indonesian-officials-hold-talks-afghan-peace|title=Taliban, Indonesian Officials Hold Talks On Afghan Peace - TOLOnews|publisher=}} He became the deputy head of the office in September 2020, replaced by Abdul Hakim Haqqani.
Taliban rule (2021–2025)
Stanikzai addressed Afghanistan on national television and radio on August 30, 2021, where he spoke of the Taliban's desire for friendly relations with the United States, NATO, and India, further stating that he would not allow Pakistan to use Afghan territory in its cold conflict with India. Stanikzai also spoke of the country's Sikhs and Hindus, stating that they could live peacefully and hoping that those who left would return.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2021/08/30/taliban-leader-hopes-afghan-hindus-sikhs-who-left-for-india-return.html|title = Taliban leader hopes Afghan Hindus, Sikhs who left for India return| website=The Week }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/india/want-good-relations-with-all-neighbours-top-taliban-leader-sher-mohammad-abbas-stanikzai-tells-news18-9922561.html|title = Want good relations with all neighbours, top Taliban leader tells News18|date = 30 August 2021}}
During a televised speech in September 2022, Stanikzai urged the government to reopen schools for girls, saying that there was no religious justification to prevent female education.{{Cite web |title=Top Afghan Taliban Official Urges Reopening Girls' Schools |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/top-afghan-taliban-official-urges-reopening-girls-schools/6765363.html |access-date=2022-10-19 |website=VOA |language=en}}
In August 2023, Stanikzai further emphasized the importance of education for women. He remarked: "Justice should be ensured. The government should reopen the doors of the schools for everyone. The government should have a constitution and run its affairs based on it. The people should give consultations to the government officials". Following this, he also stated: "Women should take part in various parts of the society based on Sharia. We want freedom for women based on Sharia, not based on Western culture. The rights of girls should be provided completely and the ground for work and education for women be provided".{{Cite web |title=Islamic Emirate Officials Stress Need to Facilitate Female Education |url=https://tolonews.com/afghanistan-184777 |access-date=2023-08-27 |website=TOLOnews |language=en}}
In January 2025, after Abbas Stanekzai harshly criticised Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada for banning girls' education, Akhundzada ordered Abdul Haq Wasiq, the head of intelligence, to arrest Stanekzai and ban him from leaving the country. According to sources from Afghanistan International, Mullah Yaqoob, Taliban defence minister, provided the conditions for his immediate visit to Dubai.{{cite web |title=Stanekzai Leaves Afghanistan After Taliban Leader Issues Arrest Warrant, Says Sources |url=https://www.afintl.com/en/202501275951 |website=Afghanistan International |access-date=27 January 2025}} The Taliban also ordered Mohammad Naeem Wardak, the former representative to Qatar, to take over his post.{{cite web |title=Dr Mohammad Naeem Wardak formally takes over charges of new office |url=https://www.afghanislamicpress.com/en/news/102757 |publisher=Afghan Islamic Press |access-date=27 January 2025}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Taliban}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stanikzai, Sher Mohammad Abbas}}
Category:Afghan expatriates in India
Category:Afghan expatriates in Qatar
Category:Indian Military Academy alumni
Category:People from Logar Province