Afghanistan five years of Taliban rule: Has Germany kept its promises?
After the Taliban retook power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, Berlin promised to bring all the Afghan local staff members to Germany. But people are still waiting to leave in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Five years after the Taliban's swift reclamation of Afghanistan, Germany's promises to Afghans who assisted during the German presence there appear to have been forgotten. In August 2021, shortly after the Taliban's takeover, then-Foreign Minister Heiko Maas pledged, "Our work continues until all those for whom we carry responsibility in Afghanistan are safe."
By June 2026, over 37,000 Afghan nationals had arrived in Germany since the Taliban took power, including those who worked with the German military or aid programs, as well as risked individuals such as human rights advocates and journalists. Ahmad Samid, a former Bundeswehr audio engineer, expressed gratitude to Germany for its assistance, while Javad Niazi, a former BMZ employee, remains in Peshawar, Pakistan, feeling abandoned by Germany.
Germany abruptly abandoned its resettlement program in May 2025, prompting those left behind to appeal to Chancellor Friedrich Merz for help. The German government has since offered financial incentives to those who willingly return to Afghanistan or a third country, but only 300 people have accepted this offer. The Federal Constitutional Court ruled in July 2026 that Germany's blanket decision to revoke the admission program was unconstitutional, as each individual's case and interests must be considered.
Despite the court's decision, Javad Niazi and his family remain in a desperate situation, hoping for a chance to leave Germany after previously accepting a financial offer.
Written by urgent.news from DW English (Top Stories)'s reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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