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Economics

Taliban Name Obscure Official as Central Bank Chief With Crisis Looming

  • Mohammad Idris to lead Da Afghanistan Bank, Taliban announce
  • ‘Food prices have never been higher. We are being suffocated’
The headquarters of the Da Afghanistan Bank, Afghanistan's central bank, in Kabul.

The headquarters of the Da Afghanistan Bank, Afghanistan's central bank, in Kabul.

Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg 

Updated on

The Taliban appointed an obscure official as acting central bank governor as signs emerge of a financial crunch in Afghanistan, with ATMs running out of cash and prices of essential goods spiraling.

Mohammad Idris, who headed the Taliban’s economic commission, will “address the looming banking issues and the problems of the people” as head of Da Afghanistan Bank, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahed said on Twitter. Little is known about Idris, including his education background and professional qualifications in dealing with monetary, currency and banking policy.