UN Security Council extends Afghan mission, calls for review

The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year, voting unanimously to continue the mission's work. The resolution, initiated by China, also mandates a strategic review of UNAMA, to be conducted by the UN secretary-general and reported by the end of March next year.

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take more proactive measures to protect human rights, especially the rights of women and project an image of openness, inclusivity and responsibility.

This decision comes amid significant international criticism of Afghanistan's Taliban rulers, who seized power in 2021. The country faces a severe humanitarian crisis, and the Taliban has implemented widespread restrictions on women and girls, limiting their access to education, employment, and sports. These actions have drawn strong international condemnation.

China's UN ambassador, Fu Cong, expressed hope that the Afghan government would take proactive measures to protect human rights, especially those of women, and demonstrate openness and responsibility. He also called for full access for Afghan female staff to UN workplaces, from which they have been barred by the Taliban.

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streamlined, fit-for-purpose

U.S. representative Jennifer Locetta welcomed the strategic review, emphasizing the need for a "streamlined, fit-for-purpose" UNAMA mandate. She stressed that the Taliban must uphold counterterrorism commitments, respect human rights, and cease "hostage diplomacy," referring to the detention of Americans in the country. Russia's representative, Anna Evstigneeva, agreed to the review but insisted it should be coordinated with Afghan authorities and focus on humanitarian and development needs, rather than Western oversight.

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hostage diplomacy

This extension follows a previous three-month mandate renewal in March, which was shorter than usual. That decision was prompted by U.S. calls for a review, citing Taliban obstruction, their use of "hostage diplomacy," and restrictions on women's rights.

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must be done in coordination with Afghan authorities and focused on humanitarian and development needs, not on exercising oversight in the interest of Western states.