Embassies in Western Countries Cut Off by Taliban Government
The Taliban government announced on Tuesday that it was severing ties with a number of Afghan embassies in Western countries, accusing the diplomats of remaining loyal to the previous democratic government. Since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, many foreign missions have been left in limbo as few governments recognize the Taliban as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan.
Despite the challenges, the Taliban has managed to install new ambassadors in countries like Russia and China, which are more receptive to their rule. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged political and consular missions in European countries to engage with Kabul, but many have failed to do so in a coordinated manner.
As a result, the Taliban Foreign Ministry stated that it would not take responsibility for passport and visa issues faced by Afghan staff abroad who do not acknowledge their legitimacy. The affected embassies include those in the UK, Germany, France, Canada, and Australia, among others.
Financially cut off from Kabul, these embassies have struggled to function and pay their bills, prompting some staff in certain countries to engage with the Taliban government. However, many countries and organizations continue to refuse to cooperate with the Taliban due to concerns over their treatment of women.