Recognition of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

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The Taliban has ruled Afghanistan as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan since taking control by force in 2021, overthrowing the internationally recognized Islamic Republic of Afghanistan. The takeover was widely criticized by the international community, and no countries have extended de jure diplomatic recognition to the new regime, despite nominally maintaining relations with Afghanistan. The Taliban has campaigned for international recognition since the takeover. Several countries have vowed never to recognize the Islamic Emirate, and others have said they will do so only if human rights in the country are respected. Some countries have accredited Taliban diplomats at the chargé d'affaires level despite not recognizing the Islamic Emirate. In September 2023, the People's Republic of China became the first country to formally name a new ambassador to the country since the takeover, and in January 2024 recognized the Taliban's envoy to China; however, the PRC still does not formally recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan.[1] The United Arab Emirates also accepted a Taliban appointed diplomat as Afghanistan's new ambassador in August 2024.[2]

The Taliban previously ruled Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001 and received limited diplomatic recognition, with the United Nations and most countries continuing to recognize the Islamic State of Afghanistan.

Ousted president Ashraf Ghani has largely remained silent since the takeover, and has not formed a government-in-exile. Ghani's vice president Amrullah Saleh declared himself caretaker president and relocated to Panjshir Province after the Taliban takeover with the support of the National Resistance Front (NRF). However, he fled Afghanistan after the Taliban quickly captured the province. Although the NRF continues to wage a guerrilla insurgency, it has failed to take any territory and neither Saleh nor the NRF have received any international support, leaving the Taliban as the only viable claimant to Afghanistan's government.[3][4][5][6]

Several countries, including Canada and Tajikistan have designated the Taliban as a terrorist organization.[7][8][9] Kazakhstan removed the prohibition in 2023 after a controversial business forum featuring Afghan Minister Nooruddin Azizi.[10]

  1. ^ "Why has China recognised Taliban's envoy to Beijing?".
  2. ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/taliban-appoints-ambassador-uae-first-time-since-afghanistan-takeover-2024-08-22/ [bare URL]
  3. ^ Trofimov, Yaroslav (2021-09-13). "As Taliban Seek International Acceptance, Countries Seek to Engage—but Stop Short of Recognition". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2021-09-20.
  4. ^ O'Donnell, Lynne (29 September 2022). "Afghan Resistance Leaders See 'No Option' but War". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  5. ^ O'Donnell, Lynne (10 February 2022). "Former Afghan VP: 'We Will Resist Until Our Aim Is Achieved'". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
  6. ^ Dawi, Akmal (20 December 2022). "Frustrated with the Taliban, US Officials Meet Anti-Taliban Figures". Voice of America. Retrieved 30 December 2022. The NRF has executed hit-and-run attacks against the Taliban in some parts of Afghanistan but has not been able to hold territory.
  7. ^ "Currently listed entities". Public Safety Canada. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
  8. ^ ""Толибон" –созмони террористӣ, ки дар Тоҷикистон ва Русия мамнӯъ аст". www.hgu.tj.
  9. ^ "Казахстан призвали готовиться к "худшему сценарию" из-за прихода к власти талибов". 15 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Астана намерена вычеркнуть «Талибан» из списка запрещённых в Казахстане организаций". Радио Азаттык (in Russian). Radio Free Europe. 29 December 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2024.