Rhino: Agencies – The Taliban-run Afghan Foreign Ministry announced the appointment of its first accredited ambassador to the UAE, the second country to accept an envoy from the Taliban government at this level after China.

No foreign capital has officially recognized the Taliban government, but only Beijing has officially accepted the credentials of an ambassador from the government. The Taliban have sent envoys to several countries, including neighboring Pakistan, to serve as ‘charge d’affaires’ at the head of missions.

The Taliban-run foreign ministry said in a statement late on Wednesday that Mawlawi Badruddin Haqqani had been appointed ambassador and had presented his credentials to the assistant undersecretary for protocol affairs in the UAE. ‘The newly accredited ambassador of Afghanistan will officially present his credentials to the Emir of the UAE soon, during an official ceremony,’ it added.

The Taliban say they respect women’s rights in accordance with Islamic law, and that restrictions on their banking sector and lack of government recognition are hampering their economy.