The United Nations Security Council Committee has approved a travel ban exemption for Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban’s interior minister, according to a U.N. statement.
Haqqani is still wanted by the United States on an up-to $10 million bounty over his involvement in an attack that killed an American citizen and other assaults.
“On June 20, 2024, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1988 (2011) approved a travel ban exemption for Sirajuddin Haqqani for his visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from June 21 to 25, 2024,” the statement said.
The purpose of Haqqani’s visit is to participate in meetings concerning regional security, stability, and reconciliation, the statement said.
Earlier this month, on June 5, 2024, the United Nations Security Council Committee also approved travel ban exemptions for four senior Taliban leaders. The exemptions will allow Taliban deputy chief Abdul Kabir, Taliban intelligence chief Abdul-Haq Wassiq, Taliban hajj minister Noor Mohammad Saqib, and Sirajuddin Haqqani to visit Mecca, Saudi Arabia, to perform Hajj.
Abdul Kabir, Abdul-Haq Wassiq, Noor Mohammad Saqib, and Sirajuddin Haqqani are prominent figures within the Taliban, each holding key positions within the group’s leadership structure.
Resolution 1988 (2011) places various sanctions on individuals and entities associated with the Taliban, aiming to support peace and stability in Afghanistan.
