• Diplomats at Afghanistan’s foreign missions have been in limbo since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021.
• Afghanistan’s foreign ministry now bears no responsibility for credentials issued by missions that do not align with Kabul’s new rulers.
• Embassies cut off from Kabul face severe financial difficulties, relying heavily on consular fees to cover staff salaries, rent, and bills.

On Tuesday, Kabul announced that the Taliban government has severed consular ties with numerous Afghan embassies in Western countries, cutting off diplomats loyal to the former foreign-backed administration. Following the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, diplomats at Afghanistan’s foreign missions found themselves in limbo, having pledged to serve a government that collapsed in chaos after the withdrawal of US troops.

No country has yet formally recognized the Taliban government, but over the past three years, the Kabul authorities have appointed Taliban ambassadors to some neighboring embassies. On Tuesday, Afghanistan’s foreign ministry stated that it now “bears no responsibility” for credentials, including passports and visas, issued by missions that do not align with Kabul’s new rulers.

The embassies affected include those in London and Berlin, as well as in Belgium, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Norway, Canada, and Australia.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly urged the Afghan political and consular missions in European countries to engage with Kabul,” a statement said.

“Unfortunately, the actions of most of the missions are carried out arbitrarily, without coordination and in explicit violation of the existing accepted principles.”

The statement advised Afghans living abroad to deal instead with missions affiliated with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan—the self-styled name the Taliban have given to the country under their rule. Afghan embassies in Pakistan, China, and Russia are operating under orders from the Taliban government. Embassies cut off from Kabul have faced severe financial difficulties, relying heavily on consular fees to cover staff salaries, rent, and bills.

Without that income, the embassies may struggle to remain open. The foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment on its future plans for the ostracized embassies. Since returning to power by force after a two-decade insurgency, Taliban officials have campaigned to be Afghanistan’s sole representatives on the international stage. Due to their treatment of women, they have been denied an ambassador position at the United Nations and are considered pariahs.

However, at UN-hosted talks in Doha last month, the Taliban represented Afghanistan, while civil society groups, including women’s activists, were excluded from the main discussions. Analysts, rights campaigners, and diplomats are divided on whether to engage with the Taliban government to potentially soften their stance or to isolate them until they make changes.

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