Moscow set to shape future of UN’s presence in Afghanistan

THE Security Council (UNSC) was set to vote on March 17 on a resolution to secure the UN’s presence in war-torn Afghanistan into the future – unless Russia, which has stymied negotiations this week, vetoes the measure.

The draft text introduced by Norway reshapes the global body’s relations with Afghanistan to account for last year’s seizure of power by the Taliban, whose rule is still not recognised by the international community and who have yet to name new representatives to the UN.

According to a diplomatic source, Moscow on March 16 opposed the long-discussed draft of a new mandate for the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) on the grounds it lacked “the consent of the de facto authorities”, namely the Taliban.

Even after the measure was redrafted to account for concerns raised by Russia, India, France and others, Moscow was the only one of 15 UNSC members to oppose it.

Norway’s draft would extend UNAMA for another year, until March 17, 2023. It calls for the provision of humanitarian assistance to the Afghan population against the backdrop of dire economic conditions and a security situation that appears to be stabilising.

The text also commits UNAMA to pursue dialogue with the country’s political stakeholders, “with a focus on promoting inclusive, representative, participatory and responsive governance at the national and subnational levels, without any discrimination based on gender, religion or ethnicity”.

And it seeks “the full, equal and meaningful participation of women” who largely have been excluded from Taliban governance to date.