The UAE has officially accepted the credentials of an ambassador from Afghanistan's Taliban government, making it the second nation after China to do so, according to officials. The Kabul foreign ministry revealed on social media that the new ambassador, Mawlawi Badruddin Haqqani, was welcomed during a ceremony in Abu Dhabi. Despite its tensions with the Taliban, the US did not criticize this action, stating that it would not impact its relationship with the UAE. The UAE's expanding connections with Afghanistan involve the management of its airports by an Emirati company, GAAC, following the withdrawal of US forces and the Taliban's takeover in 2021.
The acceptance of the ambassador is viewed as a triumph by the Taliban authorities, who are largely isolated internationally and unrecognized by the UN, partly due to their restriction on girls' access to secondary education. An Emirati official commented to AFP, "The world acknowledges the difficulties Afghanistan has faced in recent years. This decision to accept the ambassador's credentials underscores our commitment to building bridges for the people of Afghanistan." The UAE intends to offer humanitarian aid through development and reconstruction projects, and to support efforts towards regional de-escalation and stability.
Last week, President Sheikh Mohamed visited Afghanistan's prime minister, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, while he was receiving treatment in a UAE hospital. In response to the announcement, US National Security Council spokesman John Kirby stated that it "won't alter our relationship with the UAE." He added, "Each country must decide for itself what its diplomatic relationships will be and whom they will recognize." The UAE, along with Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, was one of the few countries to recognize the previous Taliban government, which was overthrown in the 2001 US-led invasion. It is among a small group of nations hosting a Taliban diplomatic presence, including Iran, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan. Nicaragua appointed a non-resident ambassador to Afghanistan in June.
