UN will work one more year with its mission in Afghanistan despite the Taliban

This Thursday the UN Security Council approved, with Russia abstaining, the renewal of the United Nations mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) until March 17, 2023 and has insisted on supporting its work in the Asian country .

The highest body of the UN pointed out that among the priorities of the mission -with 296 foreign agents and 799 nationals- will be the provision of humanitarian aid and economic resources to support humanitarian activities and aid.

The previous renewal, approved in 2021, was supported by the 15 members of the Security Council, including Russia, which today stressed through its embassy at the UN that UNAMA’s goals are unrealistic.

During the new mandate, efforts will also be made to promote the strengthening of cooperation between all ethnic groups and in all areas of the country to help people in need “including women, children, displaced persons, minorities and persons with disabilities”.

It will also focus on promoting the return and reintegration of the population displaced and sheltered by the offensive launched by the Taliban before taking control of the entire country.

The new mandate also aims to help create the social and economic conditions that can lead to the stability and self-sufficiency of the country, as well as to continue working to facilitate commercial and financial activity in Afghanistan, still subject to severe international sanctions.

UNAMA will also work to promote dialogue between Afghan leaders and stakeholders at the local, regional and international levels, with a focus on promoting inclusive participation and governance without discrimination based on gender, religion or ethnicity.

“The adoption by the Security Council of a strong new mandate for UNAMA demonstrates the international community’s enduring commitment to the people of Afghanistan and to the work of the United Nations in support of them,” said the senior US official. United Jeffrey DeLaurentis in a statement.

Likewise, UNAMA has set itself the guidelines for the next six months to promote and protect the human rights of all Afghans and to monitor, defend and monitor the situation of civilians.

The “support and promotion of gender equality, the empowerment of Afghan girls and women and the full protection of their human rights, including education”, as well as the full, meaningful and equal participation of women at all levels of decision-making, is another of the priorities of the mission.

The UN spokesman, Stéphane Dujarric, was asked today if the Taliban authorities have been recognized by the UN through deeds, to which he replied that there is no recognition because that does not depend on the Secretary General but on the member states. They have not yet made a decision on the matter.

However, he clarified that the UN agencies continue to work in Afghanistan and therefore “deal with the de facto authorities because we will do what we have to do to help the Afghan people.” (I)