The United Arab Emirates accepted the Taliban ambassador’s credentials to the oil-rich Gulf state on Wednesday, the biggest diplomatic coup for Afghanistan’s rulers, who are not formally recognized as the country’s legitimate government.
The development, the first Taliban ambassador to China since its appointment in December last year, highlighted international differences over how to deal with Kabul’s current administration.
Kabul’s foreign ministry confirmed the news about Badruddin Haqqani in a post on social media platform X. The ministry did not respond to requests for information about Haqqani, who previously served as the Taliban’s envoy to the UAE.
Haqqani is not related to Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who met with UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in June, but is part of his team.
Sirajuddin Haqqani is the current leader of the powerful Haqqani Network, a militant movement allied with the Taliban and designated as a global terrorist. He is wanted by the United States for his involvement in the deadly attacks and is on several sanctions lists.
The Taliban remain isolated from the West but are exploring bilateral ties with major regional powers. Last week, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov arrived in Afghanistan, the highest-level visit by a foreign official since the Taliban returned to power three years ago.
The United Nations said official recognition of a Taliban-ruled Afghanistan was “almost impossible” as long as restrictions on women and girls remain in place.
In a separate development, a UN-appointed human rights expert on Wednesday condemned the Taliban’s decision to deny entry to Afghanistan. Richard Bennett, the special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, has frequently criticized the Taliban’s treatment of women and girls.
Bennett said the Taliban’s announcement to ban entry to Afghanistan “is a step backward and sends a worrying signal” regarding its engagement with the UN and the international community on human rights issues.
“I call on the Taliban to reverse their decision and restate their willingness and ability to travel to Afghanistan,” Bennett said.
A foreign ministry spokesman in Kabul warned that Bennett’s activities were harmful to the interests of Afghanistan and its people.
“It was determined that it would be more appropriate for Mr. Bennett to continue his unprofessional behavior in the comfort of his office rather than exhaust himself with unnecessary travel,” spokesman Abdul Kahar Barki said in a message to The Associated Press.