Taliban seek Afghanistan's UN seat; world says no, not yet

Name New Envoy, Setting Up Showdown With Erstwhile Govt’s Ambassador

- Chidanand Rajghatta

Washington: The Taliban, who have overrun Afghanistan and disenfranchised half its population, are seeking to represent Kabul at the United Nations. Early word from the global community: No. Not any time soon. The bid for Kabul’s UN seat by the Taliban, which has proscribed terrorists in its leadership ranks, came after the group nominated Suhail Shaheen, its spokesman based in Doha, as Afghanistan’s new ambassador to the UN.

In a communication to UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres on letterhead reading “Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” the new “minister of foreign affairs” Ameer Khan Muttaqi reportedly said the currently accredited Afghan ambassador, Ghulam Isaczai, was no longer the representative. The nomination sets up a showdown with Isaczai, who has so far retained his post. The matter is to be decided by the UN credentials committee, whose members include US, Russia, China, Bahama, Bhutan, Chile, Namibia, Sierra Leone and Sweden.