Afghanistan’s Ambassador to UAE
On August 21, 2024, the UAE’s foreign ministry’s assistant undersecretary for protocol affairs formally accepted the credentials of an Afghan Interim Government-appointed diplomat. This acceptance recognized Afghanistan’s ambassador. The United Arab Emirates is now the second country to accept a diplomatic mission at this level, following China.
Following the presentation of his credential copies to Saif Abdulla Alshamisi, Badr Uddin Haqqani has been accredited as Afghanistan’s ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. According to the Afghan Interim Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “The newly accredited Ambassador of Afghanistan will soon formally present his credentials to the Emir of the United Arab Emirates during (an) official ceremony.”
Following the takeover of the Afghan Interim Government, the UAE and Afghanistan signed bilateral economic ties in 2020. This agreement allowed the UAE to run operations at Kabul airport. In a significant development, Afghan Interim Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi earlier in June. Additionally, on August 17, 2024, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed welcomed Afghan Interim Government Prime Minister Mullah Muhammad Hasan Akhund in Abu Dhabi. This visit was for a medical check-up. Notably, it was Mullah Kahund’s first-ever visit to any foreign country as a Prime Minister.
As Afghanistan expands its diplomatic ties, the Afghan Interim Government has sent envoys to several countries. This includes neighboring Pakistan, where they will head missions as “chargé d’affaires.”
Afghan Chargé d’affaires to Kazakhstan
On August 22, 2024, Kazakhstan officially strengthened its ties with Afghanistan by naming Muhammad Ur Rehman Rahmani as Afghanistan’s chargé d’affaires. This appointment makes him the official representative in Kazakhstan. Alibek Bakayev, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan, welcomed Rahmani and accepted his official documents. This new partnership aims to boost trade, improve the economy, and enhance support between the two countries.
Kazakhstan has been one of the countries that pragmatically maintained contact with the Afghan Government, sustaining economic and trade relations. The first high-level interaction between Kazakhstan and the Afghan Interim Government occurred in September 2021. This was less than a month after the Afghan Interim Government assumed control. At that time, Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Alimkhan Yessengeldiyev, met with Interim Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul. They committed to strengthening economic cooperation.
Notably, China and the UAE have not formally recognized the Afghan Interim Government administration or confirmed any official change in relations. However, diplomats and international analysts suggest that formally accepting an ambassador is a grey area in international diplomacy. This could indicate upgraded ties.
