The Taliban is taking steps to seize international diplomatic control and gain global recognition by ceasing to recognize diplomatic missions belonging to the former Afghan government. While this move aligns with the Taliban’s goal of legitimizing its rule in Afghanistan on the international stage, the lack of global recognition complicates this process. So far, no country has officially recognized the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, which hinders the group from conducting effective diplomatic initiatives on the international front. The fact that Afghanistan’s seat at the United Nations (UN) is still occupied by representatives of the former government highlights the uncertainty in the Taliban’s quest for legitimacy.
The Taliban’s decision to stop recognizing diplomatic missions belonging to the former Afghan government can be seen as a significant development on the international stage. This step is viewed as part of the Taliban’s efforts to take control of diplomatic affairs. Despite some of its leaders being subject to international sanctions, the Taliban administration is not officially recognized by the United Nations. A clear example of this is that Afghanistan’s seat at the UN is still held by representatives of the former government.[i] This decision can be considered a move aimed at shifting the existing balance of power over diplomatic structures and bringing the Taliban administration to the forefront in diplomatic affairs.
One of the outcomes of the Taliban’s policy is Oman’s transfer of Afghanistan’s embassy in Muscat to Taliban control. Although the Taliban stated that the reopening of the embassy in Oman would strengthen relations between the two countries, this step has not accelerated the international community’s process of recognizing the Taliban. While the Taliban’s diplomatic missions have established relations with some countries at a certain level, no country, including close neighbors such as Iran, Russia, and China, has officially recognized the Taliban administration.[ii]
The closure of Afghanistan’s embassy in London can be seen as a reflection of the Taliban’s policy to sever ties with institutions linked to the former government and assert sole authority in Afghanistan. This development occurred as a result of the UK’s refusal to recognize the Taliban government and establish formal diplomatic relations. Although the UK has stated that it continues to provide humanitarian aid to the Afghan people, it conducts its diplomatic relations with Afghanistan through Doha, Qatar. This situation highlights the challenges the Taliban faces in its efforts for international recognition and the approach of many countries to engage with the Taliban only on a “pragmatic interaction” level.[iii] While the Taliban encourages Afghans to cooperate with embassies under its control, the lack of international recognition makes it difficult for these missions to gain widespread acceptance.
The Taliban’s attempts to bring overseas diplomatic missions under its control can be seen as part of its pursuit of international recognition; however, these efforts have not had the expected impact due to the Taliban’s lack of legitimacy. Since many countries avoid establishing official relations, the diplomatic missions under Taliban control generally operate with limited capacity. This situation not only affects the functionality of embassies managed by the Taliban but also negatively impacts the legal status and access to services for Afghan citizens living in those countries. Afghans living in Western countries, in particular, are compelled to cooperate with embassies run by the Taliban, raising concerns about potential legal and administrative issues that may arise from this.
An important development in the Taliban’s pursuit of international recognition is the rumors regarding Russia’s process of removing the Taliban from its list of “terrorist organizations.” According to statements made by Russia’s Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Zamir Kabulov, this decision shows that the process of removing the Taliban from the blacklist, where it was added in 2003 for supporting separatists in North Caucasus, is nearing completion. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Western countries should lift sanctions on the Taliban and take responsibility for Afghanistan’s reconstruction.[iv] The Taliban’s growing relationship with Russia, aimed at addressing its lack of international recognition, has the potential to influence other countries’ stances toward the Taliban.
The future of the Taliban in the realm of diplomacy will follow a complex trajectory within the context of its lack of international recognition and quest for legitimacy. So far, its actions demonstrate efforts to seize international diplomatic control; however, the impact of these efforts remains limited because no country has yet recognized the Taliban as the official government of Afghanistan.
Currently, the Taliban’s efforts to gain international legitimacy are limited to the restricted relationships it has established with only a few countries. In the future, it is likely to continue seeking international support by deepening its relationships with neighboring countries and certain regional actors. Additionally, changes in Russia’s stance toward the Taliban could influence the dynamics of international diplomatic relations. The Taliban may also be observed making efforts to present itself more favorably on international platforms by conveying positive messages regarding humanitarian aid and economic cooperation.
The potential reactions of the international community to this situation could create a complex picture. While some countries may attempt to develop pragmatic relationships, most will remain cautious due to past actions and human rights violations. As a result, the Taliban’s efforts to gain diplomatic legitimacy will be shaped by its strategic moves and the responses from the international community to those moves.
[i] “The Taliban say they no longer recognize Afghan diplomatic missions set up by the former government”, AP News, https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-taliban-embassies-europe-5eb33173c4e8da20a5bfaf718112c2e2, (Access Date: 05.10.2024).
[ii] “Oman hands over Afghanistan’s embassy in Muscat to Taliban control”, Amu, https://amu.tv/124335/, (Access Date: 05.10.2024).
[iii] “Afghanistan’s embassy in London closes as Taliban cut ties with foreign missions”, Amu, https://amu.tv/126348/, (Access Date: 05.10.2024).
[iv] “Russia set to remove Taliban from terrorist list, says Putin’s envoy”, POLITICO, https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-remove-taliban-terrorist-list-vladimir-putin-envoy-zamir-kamulov/, (Access Date: 06.10.2024).
