ISLAMABAD (AP) — The United Arab Emirates accepted the Taliban’s ambassador’s credentials to the oil-rich Gulf state on Wednesday, the biggest diplomatic win for Afghan leaders since they sent an ambassador to China, further evidence of international divisions over how to treat the Taliban, who are not formally recognized as Afghanistan’s legitimate government.
The Kabul Foreign Ministry confirmed the news about Badruddin Haqqani in a post on social media platform X. The ministry did not respond to requests for information about Haqqani, who previously served as the Taliban’s envoy to the UAE.
Haqqani is not a relative of Acting Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani, who met with UAE leaders in June, but is part of his team.
Sirajuddin is the current leader of the powerful Haqqani network and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist. He is wanted by the United States for his role in the deadly attacks and appears on several sanctions lists.
While the Taliban remain isolated from the West, they have pursued bilateral ties with regional powers.
Last week, Uzbekistan’s Prime Minister Abdullah Aripov arrived in Afghanistan, the highest-level visit by a foreign official since the Taliban returned to power three years ago.
The UN has said certification will be “almost impossible” as long as restrictions on women and girls remain in place.