KABUL, Afghanistan — Faced with a choice between two obvious candidates to take over the Taliban — one the young son of the insurgency’s founder, the other chief of the Haqqani terrorist network — a small slice of the group’s leadership instead chose “none of the above” on Wednesday.

Breaking four days of silence after their previous leader was killed by an American drone strike, the Taliban announced that a lesser-known deputy of the group, Mawlawi Haibatullah Akhundzada, a conservative cleric in his 50s, would take over and continue the group’s war against the Afghan government.

Despite a lack of military credentials, Mawlawi Haibatullah became seen during a hasty series of leadership meetings as a throwback to core religious values and a possible figure to unify around after months of leadership struggle and violent schisms, according to insurgent commanders who were briefed on the selection process.

For Afghan officials and their American allies who are struggling to hold back an aggressive Taliban offensive this year, that is unlikely to offer any immediate comfort. Any idea of joining peace talks is a deeply divisive one within the Taliban ranks, and the statement announcing Mawlawi Haibatullah’s selection emphasized victory and omitted concession.