Sweden Asks Former Afghan Ambassador to End Mission
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has requested Abbas Noyan, the former Afghan government’s ambassador to Stockholm, to conclude his mission in the country.
In an interview with the media, Abbas Noyan confirmed that his tenure would officially end at the host country’s request by the end of this month. He further said that the embassy’s assets and property would be handed over to the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Zalmai Afghan Yar, a political analyst, commented on Sweden’s decision: “Sweden’s insistence on the ambassador’s departure stems from ongoing tensions. We hope the current Afghan government engages with regional and international countries based on national interests to prevent harm to Afghanistan.”
The Islamic Emirate has not yet commented on Sweden’s decision.
The suspension of activities at Afghan embassies in Europe began when the Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared, on July 30, that missions operated by the previous government were invalid due to their lack of coordination with Kabul.
Following this decision, Norway, Germany, and the United Kingdom also requested the suspension of operations at Afghan embassies representing the previous government. However, these embassies have yet to be fully handed over to the Islamic Emirate.
Naser Shafiq, a university professor, emphasized the importance of Afghan embassies remaining operational worldwide: “The presence of embassies in Norway, Sweden, and other countries is essential for Afghanistan. However, if diplomats, whether from the current or previous government, are absent, it creates significant challenges for citizens in accessing consular services.”
This development comes a day after the chargé d’affaires of the British Embassy for Afghanistan, in a meeting with the Islamic Emirate’s Deputy Foreign Minister, pledged to ensure consular services for Afghan citizens in London, according to the Foreign Ministry.
