The UNSC to Extend Mission in Afghanistan for Six Months
New Delhi: The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday voted to extend the UN Mission in Afghanistan for six months. The 15-member council acted in a resolution passed unanimously on the UNAMA political mission, which deals with development issues, among others, not peacekeeping.
The UNSC also called on the Taliban to create an inclusive government. The UNSC document stated the importance of the establishment of an inclusive and representative government in Afghanistan.
Afghanistan’s new Islamist rulers have formed a government in which women are not involved. The resolution also calls for “full, equal and meaningful participation of women, and upholding human rights, including for women, children, and minorities.”
The text approved Friday says the UN will continue to play an “important role” in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan.
An Afghanistan specialist at the UN said that “They are obliged to be more flexible. The Taliban did not object to the UN mandate being renewed. They are more pragmatic” than they were in the first stint in power in the 1990s.”
The council asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to brief it every other month on the situation in Afghanistan until the mandate is due again to expire in March 2022. It also wants a written report on the future of the mission by January 31.
