Three years after seizing control of Afghanistan, the Taliban administration has taken charge of 39 Afghan embassies and consulates worldwide, according to the acting foreign ministry on Thursday. Despite this, no international government has formally recognised the Taliban’s rule. However, countries like China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have accepted Taliban-appointed ambassadors in their capitals.
Lack of International Recognition and Women’s Rights Issues
Many nations, particularly in the West, have refused to recognise the Taliban government. They cite the regime’s restrictions on women’s rights, including the ban on girls attending high school and university, as a key obstacle to formal diplomatic recognition. The Taliban insists that it respects human rights based on its interpretation of Islamic law, but international sanctions and a lack of recognition continue to cripple Afghanistan’s economy.
Taliban’s Diplomatic Appointments
Following the collapse of Afghanistan’s previous Western-backed government in 2021, embassies were left in confusion, with some continuing to issue visas and passports under the old system. The Taliban has since appointed its own diplomats to various missions, including ambassadors accepted by Abu Dhabi and Beijing, and a chargé d’affaires in Pakistan.
Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi stated that 39 embassies now operate under the Taliban’s control. In the past year, the Taliban has sent diplomats to 11 countries, including Turkey, Russia, Iran, and Pakistan. Muttaqi also announced plans to send a new ambassador to Uzbekistan and expressed optimism that Russia would soon remove the Taliban from its list of terrorist organisations.
Cutting Ties with Unrecognised Missions
In July, the Taliban administration cut ties with 14 Afghan diplomatic missions, primarily based in Europe, declaring that passports and visas issued by these embassies would no longer be honoured. This move signals the regime’s ongoing effort to assert its authority over Afghanistan’s foreign affairs.
(With inputs from Reuters)
