Kabul Welcomes Renewal of UNAMA Mandate

The Islamic Emirate welcomed the renewal of the UN Assistant Mission in Afghanistan, saying that the activities of the diplomatic mission are effective for the extension of diplomatic relations of Afghanistan and the world.

The UN Assistant Mission in Afghanistan has been extended until March 7 2024

“The extension of the UNAMA mandate is a good step for Afghanistan because as much as the UN and other countries are preserving their relations via diplomatic ways, it benefits all sides,” said Islamic Emirate spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid.

On Thursday, the UN Security Council adopted two resolutions on Afghanistan.

The first resolution was the renewal of the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) and the second resolution requests that the Secretary-General conduct an independent assessment that provides recommendations for an integrated and coherent approach among different actors in the international community in order to address the current challenges facing Afghanistan.

Members of the council also stressed the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.

“The United States fully supports UNAMA, and its mission and we are proud to support a one-year extension of UNAMA’s mandate,” said Robert Wood, the US ambassador to the UN. “UNAMA is critical to working toward the peace and stability that we all agree is so important for Afghanistan and the world. With the extension of UNAMA’s mandate, the UN will be able to continue its important work to restore Afghans’ ability to exercise their human rights, especially those of women and girls and members of minority communities.” 

Speaking at the meeting of the UN to extend UNAMA’s mandate, the UAE ambassador to the UN Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, said: “Afghanistan faces an exceptional set of challenges, from the severe deterioration of women and girls’ rights to the rise of humanitarian needs and the escalating security threat as well as the unsustainable economic situation.”

“At a time when the Afghan people are facing a set of profoundly difficult challenges, the council has responded with a strong and unified message. Afghanistan and in particular its women and girls will not be abandoned,” she said.

Addressing the same meeting, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Afghanistan Permanent Mission to the UN, Naseer Ahmad Faiq said:

“We hope the coming months, we will see sustained and paralleled progress on all aspects of the UN’s mandate, especially in relation to the political dialogue that leads to the start of meaningful political process for an inclusive and legitimate governance.”

However, the human rights defenders said UNAMA is not doing enough.

“The people are not satisfied that the decisions about the closure of the girls schooling is taken by a small group of people. UNAMA should play its role, so that a national dialogue is launched in Afghanistan,” said Torek Farhadi, political analyst.