FORMER AMBASSADORS
Diplomatic ties between Afghanistan and Australia were formalized in 1969. From 1975 to 1987, the Afghan Ambassador to Japan held concurrent accreditation to Australia. With the inception of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan post-liberation from the Taliban, a dedicated embassy was instituted in Canberra in 2002. The Ambassador to Australia additionally holds credentials for New Zealand and Fiji. After the return of Taliban and forced takeover of Afghanistan on15th August 2021, the Embassy of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan in Canberra operates autonomously and independently from the Taliban's control or influence.
Afghan Non-Resident Ambassador to Australia (1975 - 1978)
Mr. Ali Ahmad POPAL*
Date of Presentation of Credentials: 1 May 1975 from Tokyo, Japan
* Change of regime and Soviet invasion lowered the level of bilateral relationship with Japan and Australia between 1978 and 1987
Afghan Resident Ambassadors to Australia, New Zealand and Fiji (From 2002 to Present)
Mr. Mahmoud SAIKAL
Date of Presentation of Credentials (Australia): 27 June 2002
Date of Presentation of Credentials (New Zealand): 7 May 2003
Mr. Mohammad Anwar ANWARZAI
Date of Presentation of Credentials (Australia): 24 November 2005
Mr. Amanullah JAYHOON
Date of Presentation of Credentials (Australia): 31 May 2007
Date of Presentation of Credentials (New Zealand): 4 December 2007
Dr. Nasir Ahmad ANDISHA
Date of Presentation of Credentials (Australia): 25 August 2011
Date of Presentation of Credentials (New Zealand): 28 August 2012
Date of Presentation of Credentials (Fiji): 20 November 2012
Date of Presentation of Credentials (Australia): 1 March 2017
Date of Presentation of Credentials (New Zealand): 6 September 2017
Date of Presentation of Credentials (Fiji): 24 April 2018
Afghan Honorary Consuls in Australia and New Zealand
Mr. Mir Zamanuddin MUSLEH
Canberra, Australia, 1993 *
Mr. Yasin HOTAKI
Auckland, New Zealand, 2018
* This is the date of appointment for Mr. Musleh as Consul of Afghanistan in Australia by the Afghan Government. He never submitted his exequatur to the Government of Australia. All honorary consular activities suspended when the Taliban captured Kabul in 1996.