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Afghanistan's Embassy in London Shuts Down Following Taliban Directive
The Afghan embassy in London has closed after the Taliban severed ties with former government missions. The UK's non-recognition of the Taliban complicates Afghanistan's global diplomacy.
ND
by News Desk
2024-09-27
Afghanistan's Embassy in London Shuts Down Following Taliban Directive

Afghanistan's embassy in London has closed, marking a significant shift in the country's diplomatic landscape as the Taliban authorities sever ties with embassies established under the previous government in Kabul. A notice was posted on the embassy's gate, indicating the closure of the Republic of Afghanistan's diplomatic mission. While no staff responded to inquiries, the Afghan flag was still visible, a symbol of the ongoing complexities surrounding the country's representation abroad.

 

Zalmai Rassoul, the Afghan ambassador to the UK, announced the closure on social media earlier this month, stating it was done “at the official request of the host country.” However, the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) refuted claims that it instigated the closure. “This decision was not made by the UK government,” a spokesperson clarified. They emphasized that the decision to close the embassy and dismiss its staff originated from the Taliban government, not London.

 

UK's Stance on Taliban Governance

The UK does not recognize the Taliban regime as legitimate, maintaining no formal diplomatic relations with Afghanistan. Nonetheless, similar to the stance of the United States and the European Union, the UK acknowledges the necessity of engaging pragmatically with Afghanistan's current administration.

 

As of now, the UK mission to Afghanistan operates from Doha, Qatar, following the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. Despite this regime change, several embassies continued to function with staff loyal to the former government until recent developments forced their closure.

 

Diplomatic Isolation

The closure of the embassy in London aligns with a broader strategy articulated by the Taliban's foreign affairs ministry. In a statement at the end of July, they declared that they “bear no responsibility” for documents such as passports and visas issued by missions that do not align with the current Taliban-led government.

 

This policy affects Afghan embassies across several countries, including France, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and Australia. The Taliban government has urged Afghans abroad to engage only with missions affiliated with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, as they refer to their rule.

 

Limited Recognition and Support

Despite the lack of official recognition by most nations, a few countries, including Pakistan, China, and Russia, have established diplomatic relations with the Taliban government, hosting embassies that operate under their directives.

 

On September 20, the consular section of the Afghan embassy in London had already ceased operations, a move underscored by Rassoul's repost of a message from the German ambassador to the UK, expressing regret over the plight of women and girls under Taliban rule.

 

Since their return to power, the Taliban has implemented strict interpretations of Islamic law, leading to the exclusion of women from public life and raising international concerns regarding human rights and governance.

 
Tagged:

Afghanistan

Taliban

UK

HumanRights

InternationalRelations
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