Afghan embassy told to shut down in London amid diplomatic tensions

Afghan Ambassador Zalmai Rassoul says UK authorities required embassy closure on September 27.

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The Afghan embassy in London will close on September 27, confirmed the country's Ambassador Zalmai Rassoul on Monday.

He stated the decision was made based on requirements from UK authorities, as announced on the social media platform X.

The closure occurs amid ongoing disputes over control of Afghan embassies in Western countries.

Previously, senior diplomatic sources revealed that the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had sent letters to 13 countries, including those in Europe, Canada, and Australia, declaring that consular services provided by embassies managed by diplomats from the former Afghan government were invalid without Taliban involvement.

Experts argue that Afghanistan's lack of an internationally recognized government has created significant difficulties for its diplomatic missions and Afghan nationals abroad.

Legal expert Ghulam Farooq Aleem stated that while it would have been preferable for these embassies to continue their work, the absence of a legitimate government in Afghanistan has left no legal framework for their operations.

Consequently, countries such as the United States and the UK have decided to shut down Afghan diplomatic missions, leaving Afghan citizens to bear the consequences.

In Europe, a diplomatic source revealed that Germany has urged the Afghan embassy in Berlin to engage with the Taliban to resolve the issue.

Germany is the only nation so far to formally respond to the Taliban’s letter.

A protest outside the German Foreign Ministry in Berlin saw Afghan citizens opposing any potential diplomatic engagement with the Taliban, emphasizing human rights.

Some countries have advised diplomats from the previous Afghan government to ignore the Taliban's letters, according to another diplomatic source.

Last month, the Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared that only consular services from five Afghan embassies, including those in Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Bulgaria, and the Czech Republic, would be recognised by the Taliban.

European countries are expected to hold a special meeting on September 28 to decide the fate of Afghan embassies across the continent.

Afghan citizens remain hopeful that any engagement with the Taliban will prioritize human rights concerns.