The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has been working in Afghanistan for years to monitor the situation, coordinate humanitarian assistance, and maintain communication between the government and the international community.
The mission of this UN political office was scheduled to end in the second half of March this year. However, the United Nations Security Council says it will vote tomorrow, March 16, on a draft resolution prepared to extend UNAMA’s mandate.
If the draft is approved, UNAMA’s mission is expected to be extended for another three months. Analysts believe the mission’s presence is useful for monitoring the situation, ensuring the continuation of humanitarian aid, and serving as a communication bridge between the Islamic Emirate and the international community.
Political analyst Faiz Mohammad Zaland says:
“Over the past five years, Afghanistan has had very limited opportunities to engage with the world. The Afghan government has still not been officially recognized by the international community. Afghanistan’s permanent seat at the United Nations has also not been given to representatives of the Islamic Emirate. The only window connecting Afghanistan to the world—especially to the United Nations—is the UN’s political mission, UNAMA.”
Another political analyst, Toryalai Zazai, says:
“The presence of UNAMA in Afghanistan as the United Nations’ political representative is very necessary. For resolving current problems, the importance of this institution in maintaining Afghanistan’s interaction and relations with the world cannot be ignored.”
The Islamic Emirate has not commented on the matter. However, some other analysts emphasize that UNAMA’s future activities should be carried out in accordance with the principles of Afghanistan’s national sovereignty.
According to them, this could help make relations and cooperation between the Islamic Emirate and UNAMA more effective and sustainable.
Political analyst Akhtar Mohammad Rasekh expressed this view:
“Afghanistan still needs UNAMA to continue operating here. The role of this organization is very important for sharing Afghanistan’s economic, humanitarian, and security situation with the world.”
According to reports, China proposed in a draft resolution that UNAMA’s mission in Afghanistan be extended for one year. However, the United States rejected the proposal and said the mission should instead be extended for three months so that Security Council member states can review its effectiveness.
The United States believes that UNAMA’s mission is more costly for the United Nations compared to other missions and that its effectiveness should be reassessed.
Meanwhile, many members of the Security Council and the acting head of UNAMA support extending the mission for one year. They have also expressed concern that a three-month extension could weaken cooperation among the mission’s staff.
