Posted: Posted October 4, 2021 / 3:46 pm CDT / Has been updated: October 4, 2021 / 3:46 pm CDT

Kabul, Afghanistan (AP) — The Taliban doubled their hard-line trajectory on Monday in the third round of the Afghan government’s appointment, which included a number of men nominated for secondary positions, a spokesman said.

Women were not included in any of the 38 new appointments announced by Chief Spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. They consisted entirely of members drawn from the Taliban, with few representatives of minority groups.

Posts to humanitarian organizations were also included.

This appointment is the latest sign that the Taliban government is not willing to pay attention to the condition from the international community that the formal approval of their rules depends on the treatment of women and minority groups.

Nonetheless, the Taliban seeks international assistance as it addresses the daunting challenges of the economy, which are at stake of collapse, drought and growing security threats from Islamic State groups.

Among the new appointments were the Prime Minister’s Deputy Minister of Political Affairs, Deputy Minister, and Deputy Secretary of the Afghan Red Crescent Society. Most positions consisted of commanders and adjutants of the Army and Defense Ministry throughout the province of Afghanistan, including Kabul, Helmand, Herat, and Kandahar.

The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have suspended payments to Kabul since a group of militants ruled Afghanistan in a blitzkrieg in mid-August. The United States has frozen billions of dollars in assets held by the Central Bank of Afghanistan in its US account.

Previously, foreign aid accounted for nearly 75% of Afghanistan’s public spending, according to the World Bank report.

Without these funds, the Taliban would not be able to pay the public sector salary, causing a spiral economic crisis.

The Taliban have described their appointment as part of the interim government, but have not elaborated on whether there will be elections. In late September, the Mujahideen withheld the possibility of adding women to the cabinet later, but did not provide further details.