List of diplomatic missions of Afghanistan
The operation of Afghanistan's foreign diplomatic missions has been in a transitional phase since the Taliban's August 2021 takeover of the government by force. The takeover was widely condemned by the international community, and no country has recognized the Taliban regime, officially called the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Despite not recognizing the new regime, some countries have handed over control of the Afghan diplomatic missions in their countries by allowing the Taliban to appoint representatives at the chargé d'affaires level. In December 2023, China became the first country to accredit a Taliban-appointed ambassador.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a6/Diplomatic_missions_of_Afghanistan2.svg/450px-Diplomatic_missions_of_Afghanistan2.svg.png)
Most embassies set up by the former internationally-recognized regime, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, have continued to operate independently since the 2021 collapse of their government. In the absence of a government-in-exile, some have been coordinating policy with each other directly. The Taliban has been aggressively pursuing control of these missions through both diplomatic efforts and harassment campaigns targeted at currently serving diplomats with the aim of them stepping aside. They have had limited success, and have taken a pragmatic approach wherein they continue to recognize documents issued by all missions, even those not under Taliban control, however the Taliban declared that visas issued by 14 embassies in Europe, Canada and Australia are invalid and will be rejected.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan
editAs of 31 January 2024,[update] China is the only country that has recognized the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan as the legitimate successor to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.[8] One country, China, has accredited a Taliban-appointed ambassador.[9] As of December 2023,[update] Taliban appointees for embassy chargés d'affaires have been accredited by Kazakhstan, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, and Turkmenistan.[4][5][10] The Taliban has also been handed control of the embassies in Qatar and Malaysia, the missions in India, and the consulate general in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Asia
edit- China
- India[15]
- Iran[16]
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Pakistan[3][18]
- Malaysia
- Kuala Lumpur (Embassy)[19][20]
- Qatar
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- United Arab Emirates
- Uzbekistan
Europe
editIslamic Republic of Afghanistan
editThis section needs additional citations for verification. (January 2022) |
Africa
editAmericas
editAsia
edit- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Indonesia
- Iraq
- Baghdad (Embassy)
- Japan
- Jordan
- Amman (Embassy)
- Kuwait
- Kuwait City (Embassy)
- Oman
- Saudi Arabia[b]
- Republic of Korea
- Tajikistan[5]
- Dushanbe (Embassy)
Europe
edit- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Czech Republic
- France
- Germany[43]
- Greece
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Turkey
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
Oceania
editFormer missions
editThe missions in the U.S. were the first to close in the aftermath of the Taliban takeover, in March 2022.[43]
- United States[48][36][49]
- Washington, D.C. (Embassy)
- Los Angeles (Consulate-General)
- New York City (Consulate-General)
- Sri Lanka
Multilateral organisations
edit- Brussels (permanent representation to the European Union and NATO)[4]
- The Hague (permanent representation to the OPCW)
- Geneva (Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office)[50]
- New York City (Permanent Mission to the United Nations Office)[36]
- Paris (Permanent Mission to UNESCO)
Unknown
editGallery
edit-
Embassy in Berlin
-
Embassy in Canberra
-
Embassy in London
-
Embassy in Madrid
-
Embassy in Oslo
-
Embassy in Ottawa
-
Embassy in Paris
-
Embassy in Prague
-
Embassy in Tokyo
-
Embassy in Warsaw
-
Embassy in Washington, D.C.
(closed since 2022)
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ There are unconfirmed reports that the Taliban has control of the Jakarta embassy.[5]
- ^ Suhail Shaheen has claimed Islamic Republic-appointed diplomats to Saudi Arabia are following instructions from the Islamic Emirate's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[35][4]
- ^ The Embassy cooperates with the Taliban government in providing consular services.[44][45]
- ^ There are unconfirmed reports that the embassy in Madrid is obeying instructions from the Taliban.[46]
- ^ There are reports that the Ankara embassy is obeying Taliban instructions.[4][5]
- ^ It was reported in February 2023 by the Khaama Press Agency that Turkey had handed over the consulate in Istanbul to a Taliban appointee. However, in April 2023, Foreign Policy reported that the existing leadership of the consulate had refused to step down.[47][4]
- ^ Continues to operate as a virtual embassy based out of the United States[4]
References
edit- ^ a b Detsch, Jack (7 January 2022). "Afghanistan's Diplomats Refuse to Represent a Terrorist Group". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 22 January 2022.
- ^ a b "Afghan diplomats under pressure from Taliban regime". Agence France-Presse. Islamabad. France 24. 14 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ a b Stancati, Margherita (18 January 2022). "Taliban Intensify Efforts to Take Control of Afghanistan's Overseas Embassies". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Judah, Jacob (2 April 2023). "Afghanistan's Ambassadors Fly the Flag Against the Taliban". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Siddique, Abubakar (7 April 2023). "Unrecognized Taliban Aims To Boost Legitimacy By Wresting Control Of Afghan Diplomatic Missions". Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
- ^ "Afghanistan embassies to Austria and UK remain open despite Taliban closure announcement". www.jurist.org. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ "Taliban Declares Consular Services of 14 Afghan Political Missions in Europe As Invalid". Afghanistan International. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
- ^ "China recognizes Taliban's ambassador, sets diplomatic precedent".
- ^ "The Taliban's new ambassador arrives in China as Afghanistan's rulers court foreign investment". Associated Press. 1 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ a b Kumenov, Almaz (April 19, 2023). "Kazakhstan acredits taliban envoys without recognizing government". Eurasianet.
- ^ Javid Ahmad Qaem [@JavidQaem] (10 January 2022). "Handover note addressed to Mr. Mahyuddin Saddat First Secretary, Assigned to Beijing" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 April 2022 – via Twitter.
I am taking leave from 2nd January 2022. Looking to the circumstance and restrictions, it is not very clear when I can return to office. So, I am leaving this hand over note for a smooth transition at the Afghan Embassy in Beijing.
- ^ Detsch, Jack; Gramer, Robbie (11 January 2022). "'You're Very Vulnerable': Afghan Diplomats Fear Violent Taliban Reprisals". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ "China accepts Afghan diplomats appointed by IEA". Ariana News. 4 April 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g "A – Z Afghanistan Missions Abroad". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. Archived from the original on 11 August 2021. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ Ayaz, Gul (29 November 2023). "Taliban Say Afghan Embassy in India Set to Resume Operations Soon". Voice of America. Retrieved 2 December 2023.
- ^ Rahmati, Fidel (27 February 2023). "Iran handed over Afghan Embassy in Tehran to Interim Regime of Afghanistan". The Khaama Press Agency. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
- ^ "Afghanistan Embassy in Bishkek". Archived from the original on 2024-03-20. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
- ^ Khan, Tahir (29 October 2021). "Taliban Install Diplomats in Pakistan Embassy, Missions". Voice of America. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
- ^ "The Embassy of Afghanistan in Malaysia would like to announce that this Embassy will be closed tomorrow 15 Aug on the occasion of [Taliban's victory day]". Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan - Kuala Lumpur (old account). Facebook. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ "It is with great respect and pleasure that we announce that Afghanistan is in Malaysia". Embassy of Afghanistan - Malaysia (new account). Facebook. 11 October 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- ^ Ahmad, Jibran (29 October 2021). "Afghan Taliban appoint new envoy to run embassy in neighbouring Pakistan". Reuters. Peshawar, Pakistan and Kabul. Retrieved 23 July 2022.
Two other Taliban officials in the foreign affairs and interior ministries confirmed the appointment to Reuters and said similar arrangements had been made in Qatar
- ^ Embassy of Afghanistan in Doha [@AfgEmbDoha1] (19 June 2022). په قطرهیواد کې دافغانستان داسلامي امارت په سفارت کې له افغانانو سره قطر ته داسلامي امارت د یو لوړپوړي راغلي پلاوي غونډه دافغانستان اسلامي امارت یولوړ پوړی پلاوی دعدلیه وزیرمحترم شیخ مولوي عبدالحکیم شرعي صاحب په مشرې راغلی دی دپلاوي په ترکیب کې دتعلیم اوتربیې وزیرمحترم [A high-ranking delegation of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, led by the Honorable Minister of Justice Sheikh Maulvi Abdul Hakim Sharia, met with Afghans at the Embassy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan in Qatar.] (Tweet) (in Pashto). Doha. Retrieved 23 July 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Embassy of Afghanistan in Doha [@AfgEmbDoha1] (19 June 2022). ته تشریف راوړ ترڅوله قطرمیشتو افغانانو سره له نېږدي وګوري چې دسفارت دسرپرست محترم ډاکټر محمد نعیم او دسفارت دملګرو لخوایې تود هرکلی وشو له روغبړ وروسته غونډه پیل شوه دغونډي پیل دقرآن کریم په تلاوت پیل شوه ورپسې دتعلیم اوتربیه وزیر محترم مولوي نورالله منیر صاحب وینا وکړه [A closer look at Afghans living in Qatar who were warmly welcomed by Dr. Mohammad Naeem, Acting Head of the Embassy and his colleagues. After greetings, the meeting started.] (Tweet) (in Pashto). Doha. Retrieved 23 July 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Afghan Designated Ambassador to Qatar Participated in The Middle East Reorganizing Seminar". Bakhtar News Agency. Kabul. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ https://embassies.net/afghanistan-in-syria/damascus
- ^ "Tajikistan: Taliban take control of consulate". Eurasianet. 2023-03-27. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- ^ "Turkmenistan: Berdymukhamedov passes the mantle (and phone)". Eurasianet. 22 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (19 March 2022). "Appointed by IEA MFA, Mr. Mohammad Fazel Saber was introduced in a ceremony as chargé d'affaires to his colleagues at the Afghan Embassy in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, yesterday". Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ "IEA introduces caretaker ambassador to Turkmenistan". Ariana News. 17 March 2022. Retrieved 6 April 2022.
- ^ "Taliban Appoints New Head of Mission for Afghan Embassy in UAE". Afghanistan International. 2024-03-02. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ "Afghan Interim Govt Appoints Envoy to Afghanistan's Consulate General in Dubai". Khaama Press. 14 March 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
- ^ "سرپیچی از دستور هبتالله؛ پسر وزیر معادن طالبان مسئول سفارت افغانستان در تاشکند تعیین شد". افغانستان اینترنشنال (in Persian). 2024-02-03. Retrieved 2024-02-04.
- ^ "Uzbek Border Town Adjusts to the Taliban as Neighbors". VOA. 2023-08-15. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
- ^ Gramer, Jack Detsch, Robbie (2022-01-11). "'You're Very Vulnerable': Afghan Diplomats Fear Violent Taliban Reprisals". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2023-09-05.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Russia Latest Country to Establish Diplomatic Ties With Taliban". Voice of America. 9 April 2022. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
- ^ a b c Detsch, Jack; Gramer, Robbie (15 March 2022). "'Nowhere to Turn to': U.S. Forces Closure of Afghan Embassy". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ Gramer, Robbie (6 June 2022). "The Last Days of the Afghan Embassy". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
Afghans in the United States will now be referred to the embassy in Canada, which the Canadian government has helped arrange with the U.S. government and leftover Afghan diplomats to remain open, according to several U.S. and former Afghan officials familiar with the matter.
- ^ Rahman, Mizanur (4 September 2021). "Incredible silence at the Afghan Embassy in Dhaka". Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Tokyo (2 April 2022). "Announcement of Ramadan Hours" (in Pashto). Facebook. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
- ^ "Undersecretary of Cultural Ministry receives Ambassador of Afghanistan". Times of Oman. Muscat. 21 June 2021. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "Islamic Republic of Afghanistan – Foreign embassies and consulates in Oman". Foreign Ministry of Oman. Retrieved 24 July 2022.
- ^ "Charge d'Affaires Syed Abdul Samad Moneeb". Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Oman). Retrieved 31 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Dawi, Akmal (14 March 2022). "Afghan Diplomatic Missions in US Close, Remain Open Elsewhere". Voice of America. Retrieved 4 April 2022.
The U.S. is the first country to close its Afghan embassy. Afghan embassies in European countries, Canada, Russia, Australia and several other nations remain open.
- ^ Zazai, Noorullah (4 October 2023). "Interacting with MoFA: Afghan embassy in Amsterdam". Pajhwok Afghan News. Retrieved 4 October 2023.
- ^ Afghanistan Embassy The Hague [@AfghanistanInNL] (3 October 2023). اطلاعیه سفارت افغانستان مقیم هالند در مورد عرضه خدمات قونسلی، ایام و ساعات کاری بخش قونسلی و اطمینان مراجعین محترم در ارتباط به ارسال تاییدی اسناد شان به وزارت امور خارجه در کابل [Announcement of the Embassy of Afghanistan residing in the Netherlands regarding the provision of consular services, the working days and hours of the consular department and the assurance of respected clients in connection with the confirmation of sending their documents to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul.] (Tweet) (in Pashto) – via Twitter.
- ^ Zazai, Noorullah (7 October 2023). "Afghan embassy in Madrid: In touch with MoFA". Pajhwok Afghan News. Retrieved 7 October 2023.
- ^ Rezahi, Nizamuddin (27 February 2023). "Turkiye Hands Over Afghan Consulate in Istanbul to Afghanistan's Interim Government". The Khaama Press Agency. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
- ^ Jakes, Lara (11 March 2022). "Afghan Embassy, Now Out of Money, Will Shut Down, U.S. Says". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ Iqbal, Anwar (27 March 2022). "Afghan embassy, consulates in US shut their doors". Dawn. Retrieved 2 April 2022.
- ^ Naseer Ahmad Andisha (18 March 2022). "Happy Norwuz". Embassy & Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, Geneva (in Pashto). Retrieved 4 April 2022.
- ^ https://embassies.net/afghanistan-in-syria/damascus