Afghanistan Peace Campaign
According to reports, G7 countries, including the US and UK, oppose the composition and agenda of the third Doha meeting.
Special representatives from some countries, including the US, might not attend the meeting, reports said.
On Monday, June 24, reports indicate that G7 members are dissatisfied with the performance of UNAMA chief Rosa Otunbayeva in Afghanistan, afintl.com reported.
Western countries’ disagreements extend beyond the composition and agenda of the third Doha meeting; they also want a special representative for Afghanistan appointed quickly and have asked the UN to expedite this.
The Taliban oppose the appointment of a new representative for Afghanistan.
The world’s seven largest economies have asked the UN to include Afghan women and civil society members in the Doha meetings and have protested their exclusion from next week’s meeting.
Some diplomats said Canada and France hold a “tougher stance” than other countries.
Sources indicate that some countries, including the US, are “not optimistic” about Rosa Otunbayeva’s activities as the UNAMA chief, suspecting she may be “aligned with Russia.”
However, Western countries, including G7 members, believe that finding a solution to Afghanistan’s current crisis is impractical without a special representative.
Reports indicate that Western diplomats will not attend the third Doha meeting at a high level, similar to the second round. The UN had previously confirmed that Secretary-General António Guterres will not participate in the third Doha meeting.
meanwhile, António Guterres is “tired” of the Afghanistan issue. According to UN officials, the third Doha meeting will be chaired by Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Deputy Secretary-General.
Previously, a US State Department spokesperson said that Thomas West and Rina Amiri, US special representatives, do not plan to attend the third Doha meeting.
Since the Taliban took power, the human rights situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated significantly. Restrictions on women’s education, employment, and freedom of movement have been severe.
The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with millions facing food insecurity and inadequate healthcare. The international community continues to express concern over the lack of fundamental rights and the dire living conditions in Afghanistan.