Afghanistan Analysts Network

If the first public comments from the Afghan Taliban's newly appointed leader are anything to go by, Akhtar Mohammad Mansour recognises how fractured the militant movement has become and that humility and consensus may be his best way forward.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai told his countrymen on Thursday a vital security pact with the United States should not come into effect until after next year's election and conceded there was little trust between the two countries.

If the first public comments from the Afghan Taliban's newly appointed leader are anything to go by, Akhtar Mohammad Mansour recognises how fractured the militant movement has become and that humility and consensus may be his best way forward.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai told his countrymen on Thursday a vital security pact with the United States should not come into effect until after next year's election and conceded there was little trust between the two countries.