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 The swift announcement that Omar's longtime deputy, Mullah
Mohammad Akhtar Mansour, would be the new leader has riled many
senior figures angry about the implication that Mansour covered up
Omar's death for more than two years.
The infighting could split the Taliban and threatens tentative peace
talks with the Kabul government to end 13 years of war that began
with a U.S.-led campaign after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the
United States.
Since Mansour's appointment was announced by the Taliban leadership
council based in Quetta, Pakistan, it has been denounced by several
top members of the group, including Omar's brother, who has called
for an assembly to choose the leader.
On Tuesday, Taliban official Syed Mohammad Tayab Agha announced he
was stepping down as director of the Political Office in the Qatari
capital Doha, originally set up to enable the Taliban to negotiate
in any peace process.
 Agha said he considered the decision to conceal Omar's death -
generally attributed to Mansour - a "historic mistake by the
individuals concerned".
"Now, as the leader is appointed outside the country and from the
people who are residing outside the country is also considered as a
great historical mistake," he said in a statement.
He said previous leaders appointed outside the country going back to
the invasion by Soviet forces, and the government set up after the
Taliban were ousted, had "very bad repercussions".
The leader should be appointed "in presence of the courageous
mujahideen in their strongholds inside the country", Agha said,
referring to Islamist fighters.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said he could not confirm the
statement came from Agha but two senior members of the Qatar office
confirmed he had resigned on Monday.
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"Relations between Mullah Mansour and Tayyab Agha had never been
friendly even when Mullah Omar was alive," said another Taliban
member, who is close to Agha.
He said Mansour's decision to send his delegation to the first
official peace talks between Taliban and Afghan government
representatives last month in Pakistan had bypassed Agha, the head
of the negotiating team in Qatar.
Considered close to Pakistan, Mansour faces a challenge to hold the
movement together with hardline commanders pressing for an end to
talks and the continuation of fighting that has been increasingly
successful in recent months.
It remains difficult to assess how serious a threat Mansour faces
but the difficulties point to a suspension of the peace process
while his position is consolidated. Several commanders are known to
have stopped fighting until the situation is clarified.
Perhaps in reaction to the dissent, the Taliban posted videos on
Facebook, apparently showing worshippers acclaiming Mansour as
leader.
(Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Robert Birsel)
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Taliban leader facing tension as top official quits
