Taliban Says US Pressure Has Stalled Afghanistan Recognition Process

The Taliban administration says US pressure on the United Nations and a number of countries has halted the process of recognising the administration and expanding formal engagement with Afghanistan.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban administration’s spokesman, told Ariana News on Monday that Washington is pressuring some countries and the United Nations to refrain from formal engagement with the Taliban administration. He said that although this pressure has not been explicitly announced, the current situation suggests it has obstructed progress in official relations.

Mujahid also claimed that countries which have previously been at war or in tension with Afghanistan have still been unable to make progress in their engagement with the Taliban administration. According to him, some countries remain under the influence of major powers and, for that reason, their policies toward Afghanistan have not changed.

Despite this, the Taliban administration says its foreign policy is economy-focused and that it seeks to expand relations with all countries. Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban administration has not been officially recognised by the United Nations or by any country.