The United Nations said Sept. 21 that the Taliban asked to speak at the United Nations General Assembly meeting this week, Shawna Chen of Axios reported yesterday. The move marks a direct challenge to Afghanistan’s currently accredited UN Ambassador Ghulam Isaczai, whom the Taliban say no longer represents the country.
The Taliban has nominated a new permanent representative, Mohammad Suhail Shaheen, a UN spokesperson told the Associated Press. Shaheen has been the spokesman for the Taliban, including during the Qatar negotiations. Isaczai, an appointee of the ousted government, had asked to remain in Afghanistan’s seat in New York.
