Afghanistan's Bonn consulate staff resign over accreditation of Taliban-appointed officials

BERLIN (Reuters) -The staff of Afghanistan's consulate in Bonn resigned this week in protest at Germany's decision to accredit two representatives appointed by the Taliban government, denouncing the move as a threat to sensitive information about Afghans living in Germany.

Only Russia has so far recognised the Taliban government that seized power in August 2021 as U.S.-led forces staged a chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan after 20 years of war.

However, Germany's accreditation of two diplomats in July represented a step forwards in bilateral relations.

Government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said then that the appointment had followed talks with Afghan authorities over the deportation of convicted criminals of Afghan nationality to their home country. These deportations resumed in August 2024.

The two new representatives will help to coordinate further deportation flights, he said, as Germany seeks to crack down on migration, a topic that has pushed many voters to support parties on the far-right. 

The Acting Consul of the Afghan consulate in Bonn, Hamid Nangialay Kabiri, posted a video to its website in which he announced the staff's collective resignation.

"Given the illegitimacy of the Taliban and their widespread violations of the rights of the Afghan people, this decision is unacceptable and poses a serious threat to the security of citizens' sensitive documents and information," he said.

All documents, equipment and other assets would be handed to the German foreign ministry, he said.

"We remain hopeful that we will soon witness a free Afghanistan governed by the rule of law and arising from the will of its people."

The German foreign ministry did not respond to a request for comment. The Afghan embassy in Berlin could not immediately be reached for comment.

Some 442,000 Afghan nationals live in Germany, which until recently had a relatively open door for migrants as well as an extensive asylum infrastructure.

Russia recognised Afghanistan's new Taliban government in July - a milestone for the Taliban administration as it seeks to ease its international isolation. China, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Pakistan have all designated ambassadors to Kabul, a step towards recognition.

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh and Kirsti Knolle; Editing by Hugh Lawson)