Kabul, Afghanistan – The Taliban administration is reportedly in the early stages of establishing an expansive camera surveillance network across Afghan cities, with potential collaboration with Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei and the repurposing of an American plan devised prior to the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, according to an announcement made by an interior ministry spokesman to Reuters.
The move, which seeks to augment the existing camera infrastructure in the capital city of Kabul, is part of the Taliban’s stated mission to restore security and combat the presence of groups like Da’ish, which has claimed responsibility for several major attacks in Afghan urban centers.
Behind-the-scenes interactions between the Taliban and various foreign nations, including the United States and China, have been largely centered on thwarting international militant organizations, such as Da’ish. However, doubts linger about the Taliban’s financial capability to fund such an extensive program, while human rights groups express apprehensions that these surveillance resources may be utilized to suppress dissent.
Details regarding the Taliban’s blueprint for expanding and managing mass surveillance, including their access to the American plan, had not been previously disclosed.
The mass deployment of cameras, which will concentrate on “strategic points” throughout Kabul and other cities, forms a critical component of a new security strategy slated for a four-year implementation period, as stated by Abdul Mateen Qani, spokesman for the Ministry of Interior. Qani noted, “At present, we are working on a Kabul security map, which is being developed by security experts and is a time-consuming process. We already have two maps, one provided by the USA for the previous government and the second by Turkey.” The timeline for the Turkish plan’s development was not disclosed.
In response to these developments, a spokesperson from the U.S. State Department clarified that the United States was not engaging in any form of partnership with the Taliban. They asserted that Washington had conveyed to the Taliban their responsibility to ensure that terrorist organizations are denied safe havens in Afghanistan. However, a representative from the Turkish government did not respond to requests for comment.
Regarding the consultation with Huawei, Qani described it as a “simple chat” that took place in August. No formal contracts or concrete plans have been finalized, as per his statement. In August, Bloomberg News reported that Huawei had reached a “verbal agreement” with the Taliban regarding a surveillance system contract, citing an individual familiar with the discussions. Nonetheless, Huawei informed Reuters in September that “no plan was discussed” during their meeting.
A spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that they were not aware of specific discussions but emphasized that “China has always supported the peace and reconstruction process in Afghanistan and supported Chinese enterprises to carry out relevant practical cooperation.”
The proposed surveillance network project stands to be a pivotal development in the Taliban’s efforts to consolidate control and establish security in Afghanistan, but its implications and execution remain subjects of considerable scrutiny and international interest.
