The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday received the credentials of the Taliban ambassador to the oil-rich Gulf Arab nation, a diplomatic success for the Afghan rulers, who are not officially recognized as the country's legitimate government.
The development, which marks the Taliban's first ambassador since the first was appointed to China last December, underscores international differences over how to deal with the government currently in Kabul.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul confirmed the news about Badruddin Haqqani in a post on the X social media platform.
The ministry did not respond to a request for information about Haqqani, who was previously the Taliban's envoy to the UAE.
Haqqani is not related to Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who in June met with UAE leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, but he is on his team.
Sirajuddin Haqqani is the current leader of the influential Haqqani network. The network is a militant movement allied with the Taliban, and is designated a global terrorist. He is wanted by the US for his involvement in several deadly attacks and is also on several sanctions lists.
Although the Taliban remain isolated by the West, they have sought bilateral ties with several major regional powers. Last week, Uzbek Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov arrived in Afghanistan, the highest-level visit by a foreign official since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan three years ago.
The UN says formal recognition of Taliban-led Afghanistan is “almost impossible” while restrictions on women and children remain in place. (uh)
