18.9.2021    Security Council renews UN mission in Afghanistan for six months

The UN Security Council on Friday extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for six months following the Islamic Emirate takeover of the country on August 15. The 15-member council asked U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report by Jan. 31, 2022 “on strategic and operational recommendations for the mandate of UNAMA, in light of recent political, security and social developments.” Meanwhile, Norway and Estonia said in a statement on Friday that the “UNAMA will maintain its current broad and flexible mandate, which includes: human rights, ‘Women, Peace and Security, and humanitarian assistance.” As the situation in Afghanistan remains unpredictable. The members of the Security Council have agreed to use the next half year to assess how UNAMA best can support the people of Afghanistan going forward. “We will continue to support the work of women peacebuilders and human rights defenders both in and outside of Afghanistan. In our talks with the Taliban (Islamic Emirate), we will remain steadfast on women’s rights and inclusion,” the statement read. Norway and Estonia have also called on the Islamic Emirate to set up an inclusive government that “would uphold human rights, including for women, children, and minorities. “As penholders, Estonia and Norway will continue to support and strengthen the voices of women peacebuilders and human rights defenders in Afghanistan. Afghan women are pillars of society and must play an essential role in building sustainable peace and stability in Afghanistan.”

18.9.2021    Taliban allows humanitarian aid be provided to people in Panjshir

The interim cabinet of the Taliban decided humanitarian aid be provided to the people of Panjshir after they took over the province as the very last holdout in Afghanistan. The decision was taken by the cabinet led by the premier Mullah Muhammad Hassan Akhund. Provincial officials of the Taliban and people in Panjshir province say that all the routes to the province reopened and telecommunication resumed. People in the province said they are in a humanitarian crisis and desperately need relief assistance. They have also said that 90 percent of the residents left Panjshir province after it fell to the Taliban. The state-run radio and television network (RTA) has reported that the premier directed the lives of money exchangers, experts, and businessmen to be protected and the coordination and cooperation among security forces must be strengthened for establishing further security in Kabul city. The very first cabinet meeting of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan comes as no country has recognized the government yet.