Consulate General Bonn closed in protest against Taliban
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul announced on Platform X that the Afghan Consulate General in Bonn will resume its activities. Afghans in Germany are also invited to make use of consular services again from November 25 - after making an appointment online in advance.
The reopening will take place under new management: the previous Consul General Hamid Nangialay Kabiri and his entire team resigned at the end of September. By resigning, they were protesting against the Taliban government's takeover of the representation.
Previously, the German government had allowed two Taliban representatives to enter Germany to take on organizational tasks in the consulates in Bonn and Berlin.
In a video message, Kabiri warned of a "serious threat to the security of sensitive data of Afghan citizens" from the Taliban. According to dpa, Kabiri has since applied for asylum in Germany.
German government does not officially recognize Taliban
The Federal Foreign Office in Berlin contradicts reports that the Bonn consulate will be run by Taliban representatives in future. A spokesperson emphasized to tagesschau that the Afghan representations in Germany would continue to be headed by people who were posted before the change of power and accredited by the German government.
The position of Consul General in Bonn is currently not officially filled, according to the Federal Foreign Office. In order for the government's current candidate in Kabul to hold this title, the Federal Government must give its consent. This approval has not been given in the current case.
Germany still does not officially recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan, but has been holding talks with its representatives for some time , among other things to enable the deportation of criminals to Afghanistan.
Concern about sensitive data
According to a tagesschau report, the Consulate General in Bonn previously served as a central interface for Afghan embassies and consulates in Europe, Canada and Australia. With the takeover, the Taliban would theoretically have access to the personal data of thousands of Afghans abroad - including opposition members, journalists and activists.
Human rights organizations warn that this information could be used against those affected or their families in Afghanistan.
The Federal Foreign Office stated that it was in close contact with all three Afghan representations in Germany - the embassy in Berlin and the consulates general in Bonn and Munich - in order to clarify the legal and personnel status
Conclusion
The reopening of the Afghan Consulate General in Bonn is causing political and legal tensions. While the Taliban speak of an official reopening, the German government emphasizes that the representations will continue to be run by diplomats of the former Afghan Republic. According to official information, the position of Consul General has also not yet been filled.
For many Afghans in Germany, the situation remains unclear - as does the question of who will decide on their consular affairs in the future.
