Under the title "Recognition or Punishment for the Taliban: An Awaited Stance from the G7", the Arabic website reported that the international community has yet to take a unified stance regarding the Taliban, which took control of Kabul on August 15, 2021. A decision is anticipated today, Tuesday, during a meeting of G7 leaders.
Two diplomatic sources disclosed to Reuters that G7 leaders are expected to pledge a unified position on whether to formally recognize the Taliban or impose sanctions during a virtual meeting to discuss the situation in Afghanistan. A European diplomat stated, "G7 leaders will agree to coordinate their stance on whether to recognize the Taliban or when that would happen... and they will commit to continue working closely together."
Could Sanctions Be Imposed?
The leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, Germany, Canada, and Japan may consider issuing a unified formal recognition, or imposing sanctions on the Taliban again to pressure them into compliance with commitments to respect women's rights and uphold international relations. Notably, recognition is a politically sensitive step for sovereign nations, carrying significant implications, including allowing the Taliban to receive foreign aid, which previous Afghan governments depended on.
Possible Extension
Additionally, the aforementioned sources told Reuters that G7 leaders will discuss a possible extension of the August 31 deadline set by U.S. President Joe Biden for the withdrawal of all American forces from Afghanistan, allowing more time for the U.S. and other countries to reach and evacuate citizens from Western nations, as well as Afghan nationals who assisted NATO and U.S. forces and those facing danger in Afghanistan. They further added that the leaders will also commit to coordinating any sanctions, resettling a wave of refugees, and concerns about potential attacks from extremist groups in Afghanistan.
This comes as British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that the Taliban "will be judged by their actions, not their words," adding that he intends to urge allies at the G7 summit to increase their "support for refugees and humanitarian aid." In a statement issued by his office, Johnson, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the G7, stated that "the top priority" right now is evacuating British nationals and Afghan citizens who assisted Western forces.
He further emphasized the necessity for the international community to unite to "agree on a long-term common approach."
Red Line for the Taliban
However, the statement did not mention whether Johnson would call for the United States to postpone the withdrawal deadline of August 31, a demand expressed by British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace earlier on Monday. This prompted a decisive response from the Taliban, stating that any postponement of the withdrawal date is a "red line," warning of "consequences" for such a decision. It is worth noting that President Joe Biden had left the door open for possibly delaying the withdrawal deadline if evacuation operations are not completed by then.
On Monday, Biden and Johnson discussed the Afghan crisis over the phone. The British Prime Minister's office stated that the two leaders agreed during their phone call to "continue working together to ensure that those with the right to leave are able to do so."
