Taliban Ask To Address UN, Nominates Suhail Shaheen As Afghan Envoy

The Taliban have asked to address world leaders at the United Nations in New York this week and nominated their Doha-based spokesman Suhail Shaheen as Afghanistan’s UN ambassador.

According to the official reports, Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi made the request in a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and has asked to speak during the annual high-level meeting of the General Assembly. Muttaqi’s letter was confirmed by Guterres’ spokesperson, Farhan Haq.

Farhan Haq stated that the rival requests for Afghanistan’s U.N. seat had been sent to a nine-member credentials committee, whose members include the United States, China and Russia. The committee is unlikely to meet on the issue before Monday, so it is doubtful that the Taliban foreign minister will address the world body.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that the Taliban’s desire for international recognition is the only leverage other countries have to press for inclusive government and respect for rights, particularly for women, in Afghanistan.