Kabul’s decision is spectacular. Observers consider it a propaganda coup in the struggle to gain the approval of the Afghan people.

But it is also a daring political game for one of the Taliban’s most prominent leaders in the volatile south to have changed allegiance not only militarily, but also politically, and now be officially at the service of the government.

President Hamid Karzai's spokesman Humayun Hamidzada confirmed the nomination on Tuesday.

"It’s not a rumour," he said. "It’s a fact. What it says is consistent with the Afghan government's policies. The president has said before that all the former Taliban who come and accept the constitution and who want to participate in the political process through non-violent means are all welcome."

During the Taliban era, Mullah Abdul Salam was a governor of the southern province of Urusgan. He later became the Taliban commander for Musa Qala -- a district of great strategic and political importance in the Taliban and opium stronghold Helmand province.

Scramble for Musa Qala

Last year, a unique peace agreement with British International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) failed here.

The Taliban seized Musa Qala and occupied the district for nine months. Last month, Afghan army troops managed to oust the Taliban and re-captured Musa Qala in a major offensive, along with foreign troops.

The ISAF and the Afghan government considered this victory against the Islamist insurgents in Helmand as a great success marking the end of a year, which had seen so many victims.

The influential Pashtun commander Mullah Salam played a decisive "role in liberating Musa Qala from terrorist elements," Humayun Hamidzada explained.

He added that he had also brought "unity among the different tribes and also among the larger community. He is now at the service of his people and he enjoys of the government as well as the support of the people."

Dubious mutation

But Western observers in particular are not so thrilled by this seemingly contradictory transformation from Taliban commander to government representative.

After all, at the end of December, the Afghan government expelled two western officials on account of their alleged contacts with the Taliban. However, the presidential palace has used the chance to promote a rapprochement to the Taliban.

"Whoever wants to accept the constitution and do what they want to do can do so through the political process -- the doors are open, as always," Humayun Hamidzada stated.

Many observers say President Hamid Karzai’s policy of seeking understanding with the Taliban is confusing.

Last year, the Taliban were particularly successful in the south and in the east of the country. Altogether, the number of lives lost in the fights and attacks was the highest since the Taliban government was overthrown.