Germany’s Foreign Ministry said it does not recognise any new appointment by the Taliban to Afghanistan’s embassy in Berlin, following reports that the group has designated a new representative to lead the mission.
The ministry said it would not accept any legal changes or new appointments at the embassy.
Earlier, Afghanistan International, citing Taliban Foreign Ministry documents, reported that the Taliban had dismissed Abdul Baqi Popal, the acting head of Afghanistan’s embassy in Germany.
German broadcaster ARD also reported that the Taliban had appointed one of its diplomats to head the embassy in Berlin.
According to Deutsche Welle, a spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that a diplomat from Afghanistan’s former government should continue to manage the embassy.
The spokesperson added that any diplomat must receive Germany’s approval to be recognised as ambassador or chargé d’affaires, and that no such process had taken place in this case.
A letter from the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry had instructed Popal to hand over his duties before the end of his official term to Nebras-ul-Haq Aziz, a diplomat appointed by the Taliban.
Popal is expected to remain at the embassy in a local staff capacity, according to reports.
Diplomatic sources in Berlin told Afghanistan International that Germany’s Foreign Ministry had not been formally notified of the appointment.
According to available information, the Taliban continue to rely on Popal for official dealings with the host country, while internally he is treated as a local employee.
Germany’s Foreign Ministry said maintaining consular services at Afghan diplomatic missions remains a priority. Berlin wants services such as visa and passport issuance to continue regularly and for embassy staff to be able to issue documents recognised by the Taliban authorities.
Currently, within the formal structure of Afghanistan’s embassy in Berlin, a chargé d’affaires appointed before 2021 is recognised by the German government as the official point of contact, although in practice a Taliban-designated individual is managing the embassy.
Popal was appointed acting head of mission several months ago, replacing Yama Yari. He previously served as chargé d’affaires in Berlin and is originally from Panjwayi district in Kandahar province. Under the former Afghan government, he served as deputy director for local governance.
Germany does not recognise the Taliban administration as the official government of Afghanistan.
