Taliban Dismiss Acting Afghan Ambassador to Germany

According to the documents, Popal is now working temporarily as a local staff member at the embassy.

The Taliban prime minister’s office had asked Popal to hand over his duties before the end of his assignment.

A letter from the Taliban’s foreign ministry, sent by its head of personnel, Lutfullah Khpalwak, to the Afghan embassy in Germany two months ago, stated that Popal’s mission had ended on December 31, 2025 and instructed him to return to Kabul.

Afghanistan International has also obtained a copy of a letter from Popal in which he asked the Taliban to appoint him as a local employee at the embassy.

The letter was addressed to Prime Minister Mullah Hasan Akhund. In response, the prime minister’s office said Popal’s diplomatic status should be maintained until March 20, but the note confirming the end of his mission should not be shared with the host country.

The letter also instructed Popal to hand over his duties to Nibras-ul-Haq Aziz, a diplomat appointed by the Taliban, before the formal end of his assignment.

In addition, Popal has been employed as a local staff member at the embassy with a salary of €2,500 in order to make use of his experience.

Diplomatic sources in Berlin told Afghanistan International that Germany’s foreign ministry has not been formally informed of the appointment.

According to the available information, the Taliban continue to use Popal in official dealings with the host country, while internally he is classified only as a local employee.

Popal was appointed acting ambassador a few months ago, replacing Yama Yari. He previously served as chargé d’affaires at the Afghan embassy in Berlin and is originally from Panjwai district of Kandahar province.

Under the previous Afghan government, he served as deputy head of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance.