The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has accepted the credentials of the Taliban’s ambassador, a major diplomatic victory for the group that remains largely unrecognized by the international community. This move marks the first Taliban ambassador since one was appointed to China last December and underscores the ongoing division among nations regarding how to engage with the Taliban government in Kabul.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul confirmed the appointment of Badruddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s envoy to the UAE. While details about Haqqani’s previous role are limited, he is not related to the Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who met with the UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in June. Sirajuddin Haqqani is the head of the powerful Haqqani network, a militant group allied with the Taliban and designated as a global terrorist organization by the United States. He is wanted for his involvement in deadly attacks and is subject to numerous sanctions.
Despite their isolation from the West, the Taliban have been actively seeking bilateral ties with key regional powers. Last week, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov visited Afghanistan, marking the highest-level visit by a foreign official since the Taliban regained control of the country three years ago.
However, the UN has made it clear that official recognition of the Taliban-run Afghanistan is “nearly impossible” while the Taliban continues to impose restrictions on women and girls. In a separate development, a UN-appointed human rights expert, Richard Bennett, has been barred from entering Afghanistan, a decision he described as a “step backwards” and a concerning signal regarding the Taliban’s commitment to human rights and engagement with the international community. Bennett has been a vocal critic of the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls. The Taliban has justified their decision by claiming Bennett’s activities are detrimental to Afghanistan’s interests.
The UAE’s acceptance of the Taliban ambassador highlights the complex and evolving dynamics surrounding the Taliban government in Afghanistan. It remains to be seen how other nations will respond to this development and what impact it will have on the international community’s efforts to engage with the Taliban on issues like human rights and stability in the region.
