KABUL/ISLAMABAD/ABU DHABI (Khyber Mail) – In a significant diplomatic development, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led foreign ministry has appointed Mawlawi Badreddin Haqqani as its first accredited ambassador to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This marks the second country, after China, to accept an envoy at this level from the Taliban administration.
The UAE’s foreign ministry has yet to comment on the appointment. The Taliban government, which has not been officially recognized by any foreign capital, has also sent envoys to several countries, including neighboring Pakistan, to head missions as “chargé d’affaires.”
Mawlawi Badreddin Haqqani presented his credentials to the UAE’s foreign ministry’s assistant undersecretary for protocol affairs. He is expected to formally present his credentials to the Emir of the UAE in an official ceremony soon.
The Taliban share economic ties with the UAE, which secured contracts to operate Kabul airport in 2022. In June, Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, designated as a “specially designated global terrorist” by the U.S., met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi.
While China and the UAE have not formally recognized the Taliban administration, accepting an ambassador could be seen as a step towards upgraded diplomatic ties. However, many governments, particularly Western nations, have stated that formal recognition of the Taliban will depend on changes in their policies, especially regarding women’s rights and education.
The Taliban claim to respect rights according to their interpretation of Islamic law and argue that restrictions on their banking sector and lack of recognition are hindering their economy.
This appointment underscores the international divide over how to engage with the Taliban government, which took control of Kabul on August 15, 2021, following the collapse of Afghan security forces and the departure of U.S.-backed President Ashraf Ghani.