KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Kazakhstan has appointed Yerkin Tukumov as its Special Representative for Afghanistan, marking a new step in Astana’s diplomatic engagement with the country under Taliban rule.
Tukumov, a veteran diplomat and current director of the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies, has previously held senior posts in the Kazakh Foreign Ministry and served at the country’s embassy in Moscow.
The appointment was acknowledged by Taliban authorities.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the move signaled Kazakhstan’s interest in expanding diplomatic, trade, and humanitarian ties with Afghanistan.
Earlier this year, Kazakhstan accredited Taliban-appointed diplomat Mohammad Rahman Rahmani as chargé d’affaires in Astana.
Officials in Kazakhstan have emphasized that this move is a matter of practical engagement and does not constitute formal recognition of the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. To date, no country has officially recognized the Taliban since their return to power in August 2021.
Kazakhstan has also expanded humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan, including a recent shipment of more than 5,000 tonnes of food, medical supplies, tents, and blankets delivered via the Hairatan border crossing.
In June 2024, Kazakhstan removed the Taliban from its national list of banned organizations, a step officials described as part of a broader strategy of cautious diplomatic engagement.
