War with embassies

Taliban reject visas from countries like Austria

The Taliban are fighting for international legitimacy.

(Bild: AFP/Wakil KOHSAR)

The Taliban no longer want to accept passports or visas issued by the Afghan embassy in Austria, Germany and numerous other Western countries. The new regulation also applies to other documents.

Afghan representations in Switzerland, Belgium, Poland and other countries inside and outside Europe are also affected. This was announced by the Islamist-led Foreign Ministry in Kabul on the online platform X.

The Foreign Ministry called on Afghans abroad and foreigners to make use of consular services elsewhere.

Taliban fight for legitimacy
The decision is justified by the actions of the embassies, which are "arbitrary" and "without coordination". However, the new regulation is likely to be seen above all as an attempt to gain control over the representations active abroad.

So far, no country has officially recognized the Taliban government. In some countries, such as China, Russia, Pakistan and Iran, Taliban ambassadors have taken up their work. In other countries, embassies linked to the old, Western-backed government are operating. The Taliban took power in Afghanistan again in August 2021.