New York: The United Nations has announced that Roza Otunbayeva, the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), is set to present her report on Afghanistan to the UN Security Council early next week.
According to a report published by the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs on social media platform X on Tuesday, March 4, the Security Council meeting will be held on Monday, March 10, under the presidency of Denmark, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council.
While details of Otunbayeva’s report have not yet been disclosed, she submits a quarterly report to the Security Council. Additionally, UNAMA’s mandate in Afghanistan is set to expire on March 17, and the Security Council is expected to hold discussions regarding its extension.
Previously, on March 15, 2024, the Security Council passed a resolution extending UNAMA’s mission in Afghanistan for another year. The resolution, numbered 2727, was adopted with unanimous support from all 15 members of the Council, extending UNAMA’s operations until March 17, 2025.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid welcomed the Security Council’s decision to extend UNAMA’s mandate, stating that Afghanistan needs international connections and that UNAMA can play a role in fostering these ties. However, he also criticized UNAMA’s past performance, accusing the mission of engaging in propaganda against the Taliban government and failing to carry out its mandate effectively.
In an interview with the Taliban-controlled national television, Mujahid claimed that UNAMA had consistently presented negative reports about Afghanistan and contributed to a misleading perception of the country within the United Nations. He further criticized UNAMA’s coverage of security issues, arguing that its reports created unnecessary concerns among the public.
The United Nations has repeatedly highlighted the presence and activities of terrorist groups in Afghanistan, particularly Al-Qaeda and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), contradicting the Taliban government’s claims. While UNAMA has not yet responded to Mujahid’s latest remarks, the UN has previously stated that its mission remains impartial and aims to improve the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan while working towards reintegrating the country into the international community.
