In a report citing German state broadcaster ARD, Reuters news agency reported that the Taliban have appointed a new acting head for the Afghan Embassy in Berlin without the knowledge or approval of the German government. The report adds that this unilateral move appears to be an attempt to expand the Taliban’s control over Afghan diplomatic missions abroad, despite the fact that the Taliban are not officially recognized by Germany and many other countries. Under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, the appointment of an ambassador or head of mission cannot take place without the approval of the host country. Nevertheless, reports indicate that the individual has effectively been working as chargé d’affaires of the embassy without going through the formal process. It is said that he was previously a low-level consular employee and had traveled to Germany as part of a framework related to the deportation of rejected Afghan asylum seekers. Although Germany had accepted him in a consular role, it was not informed of his appointment as acting head of the embassy. According to the report, the individual has introduced himself in official letters as the head of the embassy and has effectively taken over its leadership. The German Foreign Ministry also stated that it has not received any official notification regarding a change in the leadership of Afghan diplomatic missions.
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