Taliban Mark Five Years in Power as Afghans Face Deepening Crisis

Five years after the Taliban swept back into power following the chaotic withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, the country remains one of the world's most isolated and impoverished nations. The anniversary, marked on 15 August 2026, passed with little fanfare inside Afghanistan but drew sharp condemnation from international human rights organisations.

Women's Rights Remain Abolished

Since their takeover in August 2021, the Taliban have systematically dismantled rights for women and girls. Secondary and higher education for females has been banned, women are barred from most employment and public spaces, and they are required to be accompanied by a male guardian in public. The United Nations has described the situation as a form of gender apartheid.

Economic and Humanitarian Crisis

Afghanistan's economy has contracted sharply since 2021. International aid — which accounted for the bulk of the former government's budget — has been drastically cut. Roughly two-thirds of the population, around 26 million people, require humanitarian assistance according to the UN. Malnutrition rates, particularly among children, have reached alarming levels in many provinces.

International Isolation Persists

No government has formally recognised the Taliban administration. Afghanistan's overseas assets remain largely frozen, and the country has been excluded from multilateral institutions. Some countries have engaged in low-level diplomatic contact for humanitarian purposes, but full normalisation appears distant.

Security Situation

Within Afghanistan, the Taliban have consolidated their grip over security and governance. Sporadic attacks by Islamic State Khorasan Province continue, but the Taliban have broadly maintained territorial control. Local resistance groups remain active in some northern and eastern provinces but lack the capacity to mount a serious challenge.