UN extends Afghanistan mission by another year

March 17, 2023

Al Jazeera

17 Mar 2023

The United Nations Security Council renews UNAMA and asks for recommendations on working with the Taliban-ruled country.

The United Nations Security Council has renewed the UN Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year while also asking for recommendations on the best way for the international community to continue its work in the Taliban-ruled country.

The 15-member council on Thursday unanimously adopted two resolutions, both drafted by the United Arab Emirates and Japan.

The first “stresses the critical importance of a continued presence of UNAMA” and other UN agencies within Afghanistan, which has been under Taliban rule since the group took control of Kabul in August 2021.

Thursday’s resolution, which extends the mission until March 17, 2024, does not change the UNAMA’s mandate, as defined by last year’s resolution, “in promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan”.

The second resolution asks Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to conduct an “integrated, independent assessment” of the situation in the country, and report back to the UNSC by November 17 with “forward-looking recommendations for an integrated and coherent approach among relevant political, humanitarian, and development actors”.

The report should include information on addressing “humanitarian (challenges), human rights and especially the rights of women and girls, religious and ethnic minorities, security and terrorism, narcotics, development, economic and social challenges, dialogue, governance and the rule of law”, the resolution said.

“We are all aware the situation in Afghanistan is extremely challenging, and that our options are actually very limited, but the status quo is not sustainable,” UAE’s UN ambassador, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, said.

She noted that, given the Taliban’s tightening restrictions on women and girls, some people, “including many Afghan women”, have accused the global community of lacking a “coordinated international political strategy” for dealing with the challenges within the country.

The Taliban, which seized power in August 2021 as the United States-led forces withdrew from Afghanistan after 20 years of war, says it respects women’s rights in accordance with its strict interpretation of Islamic law.

But it has banned women and girls from attending high school and university, visiting parks and working for aid groups.

The UNSC expressed concern in the resolution over the lack of progress made by the Taliban on its expectations.

It emphasised “the importance of the full, equal and meaningful participation of women, and upholding human rights, including those of women, children, minorities, and persons in vulnerable situations”.

The UN has made its single-largest country aid appeal ever, asking for $4.6bn in 2023 to deliver help in Afghanistan, where it says two-thirds of the population – some 28 million people – need it to survive.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
UN extends Afghanistan mission by another year
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Defense Ministry: Force Consists of Over 100,000 Troops

March 14, 2023
Fatima Adib
Tolo News
14 March 2023

The Islamic Emirate’s Ministry of Defense said that its forces have reached between 100,000 and 150,000 troops.

The ministry’s spokesman, Enayatullah Khwarazmi, said that facilities and equipment have been provided for these forces, and their salaries will be paid at the designated time.

“We have between 100,000 and 150,000 armed and equipped troops to provide security, guard our borders, protect our trenches–and our border forces are active,” Khwarazmi noted.

“They should have used all the staff from the (former) government departments, including civil and military ones, and included them in the government so they work on rebuilding and providing peace and stability in Afghanistan,” said Samar Sadat, a military expert.

Khwarazmi added that former soldiers are also included in the structure of the ministry’s forces.

“They are obliged to use professionals and specialists from the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defense, intelligence, and intelligence agencies who have sufficient experience,” said Sarwar Niazi, a military analyst.

According to some military analysts, the current government needs the support of other nations to maintain and supply this army.

“Foreign nations must make secret pledges to assist supplying their army, otherwise the Taliban will not be able to do so in the current situation,” said Asadullah Nadim, a military analyst.

“It has been nearly two years that the Taliban have controlled Afghanistan. Have we imported a tank, a cannon, or an airplane from other countries? Or are we in agreement on this? And besides this, professional education is necessary, but it is something we sadly lack,” said Mohammad Zalmai Afghanyar, a military analyst.

There were 350,000 security and defense troops up until August 2021, when the previous government ended.

Defense Ministry: Force Consists of Over 100,000 Troops
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‘Talented’ Ex-Officials Will be Given Jobs If They Return : Commission

March 13, 2023
Nazir Shinwari
Tolo News
13 MMarch 2023

According to the commission, more than 500 people including ministers, governors and political figures have returned to the country.

The “Commission for the Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures” said that talented and honest former officials and political figures who return to Afghanistan will be provided with jobs.

According to the commission, more than 500 people including ministers, governors and political figures have returned to the country.

“The government is committed to considering capacity, talent and honesty of Afghan figures. They may join certain areas of the government because hundreds of thousands of former government officials are currently included in the government,” said Ahmadullah Wassiq, a spokesman for the commission.

“Until now, 513 Afghan figures including ministers, governors and deputy governors, have returned to their country via the “Commission for the Return and Communications with Former Afghan Officials and Political Figures,” Wassiq said.

The political analysts believe that the commission should change its method and create a trusting environment for the professional figures.

“The solution is that the Taliban should extend their embrace and change their policy and pave the way for intra-Afghan negotiations,” said Stana Gul, political analyst.

“To pave the way for the return of Afghans, the schools for girls should be reopened and work access for women should be facilitated,” said Torek Farhadi, political analyst.

“If the Islamic Emirate is really working in this regard, they should invite the eligible and professional figures to Afghanistan,” said Amanullah Ghalib, former head of Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat.

‘Talented’ Ex-Officials Will be Given Jobs If They Return : Commission
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Taliban health ministry launches annual polio vaccination drive

March 13, 2023

By Reuters Staff

MARCH 13, 2023

KABUL (Reuters) – Afghanistan has launched its annual polio inoculation campaign aimed at reaching 9 million children, the health ministry said on Monday, the second year in a row the vaccination drive has taken place under Taliban rule.

Afghanistan and neighbouring Pakistan are the last countries with endemic polio, an incurable and highly infectious disease that can cause crippling paralysis in young children.

Polio has been virtually eliminated globally through a decades-long inoculation drive. But insecurity, inaccessible terrain, mass displacement and suspicion of outside interference have hampered mass vaccination in Afghanistan and some areas of Pakistan.

Nek Wali Shah Momin, director of Afghanistan’s National Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for Polio Eradication, said many more areas could now be reached since the Taliban took over and fighting stopped. The EOC is led by the health ministry and includes international agencies including the World Health Orgnization and the U.N. children’s agency.

While the Taliban have in recent months banned many female NGO workers and stopped women attending universities and most high schools, the doctor said female vaccinators were working on the campaign.

He said women were crucial to accessing children who were often at home with their female caregivers who were usually not comfortable interacting with male vaccinators.

In areas where vaccination teams had to travel longer distances, Momin said authorities had required female staff to have a male chaperone. He said they had recruited and trained male family members of the female vaccinators to join the teams’ vaccination efforts.

Some militant factions have targeted vaccination efforts in the past. In 2022, eight workers were killed in attacks in northern Afghanistan.

“The support of all Afghans, including parents, community leaders, ethnic elders, and religious leaders, is critical to eradicate polio and we want them to take part in the fight,” the Taliban’s acting health minister Qalandar Ebad said.

Some health experts said the role of the Taliban, whose stated goal is to impose their strict interpretation of Islamic law, could help encourage acceptance of vaccination in conservative areas around the region.

“Religious leaders’ role in the polio elimination drive in both Pakistan and Afghanistan is crucial … the active participation of the Taliban in polio campaigns is a very positive and major development,” said Rana Jawad Asghar, an epidemiology expert and CEO of Pakistan-based consultancy Global Health Strategists and Implementers.

Reporting by Charlotte Greenfield and Mohammad Yunus Yawar; Editing by Alison Williams

Taliban health ministry launches annual polio vaccination drive
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Islamic Emirate Reacts to UN Report

March 11, 2023
Banafsha Binesh
Tolo News
11 March 2023

The deputy spokesman of the foreign ministry said that the current government also wants good interactions with the world.

The Foreign Ministry welcomed aspects of the report of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to the Security Council, particulary his call for the world to interact patiently with the Islamic Emirate. 

The deputy spokesman of the foreign ministry said that the current government also wants good interactions with the world.

The ministry rejected claims that 23 armed groups are active in Afghanistan.

“Murders and, arrests (in report) are not true, and we also reject the claim that 23 armed groups are active,” said Zia Ahmad Takal, a deputy spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry.

Meanwhile, the deputy spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry said he appreciated some aspects in the report, like the noting of improved governance, accountability and access to services through the formation of Ulema councils, efforts for national reconciliation and unity with former administration officials and minorities, and curbing arms trafficking and narcotics cultivation and trade.

Meanwhile, some political analysts said that the world’s interaction with the Islamic Emirate is useful for the country.

“We hope that the Islamic Emirate is recognized by the world, so the Islamic Emirate can fight against terrorists,” said Janat Fahim Chakari, a political analyst.

Meanwhile, the UNAMA mission in Afghanistan is currently set  to end on March 17, but the UN secretary general recommended to the Security Council that it extend UNAMA’s mission for 12 months.

Islamic Emirate Reacts to UN Report
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IPI Report: UNSC Expected to Renew UNAMA Mandate

March 11, 2023
Fatema Adeeb
Tolo News
11 March 2023

Several experts in international relations believe that UNAMA plays an important role in Afghanistan’s political, human rights, economic and social sectors.

The International Peace Institute (IPI) said in a report that the UN Security Council is expected to renew the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in March 2023.

According to the report, the Security Council members remain divided over what the appropriate level of political engagement between the UN and the current government of Afghanistan should be.

“The upcoming mandate renewal negotiations will unfold amid a worsening economic and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Security Council members remain divided over what the appropriate level of political engagement between the UN and de facto authorities should be, especially after the lack of progress in getting the Taliban to change course on its policies restricting the rights of Afghan women and girls,” the report reads.

“UNAMA has three roles in Afghanistan: the implementation of humanitarian aid–40 million dollars of US money periodically arrives and goes through UNAMA–the issue of human rights, which is the topic of Richard Bennett’s report, and the third is to start a dialogue between Afghans, which has not yet begun, and Roza Otunbayeva is responsible for it,” said Tariq Farhadi, a political analyst.

Several experts in international relations believe that UNAMA plays an important role in Afghanistan’s political, human rights, economic and social sectors.

“The continuance of UNAMA’s operation in Afghanistan is very important because of the economic, political, and human situation in Afghanistan,” said Wali Frozan, international relations expert.

“The non-renewal of UNAMA’s mandate will cause other difficulties and the world’s attention to the people of Afghanistan will decline, and this would be a tremendous blow to the poor people of Afghanistan,” said Wahid Faqiri, another international relations expert.

Earlier, the UN Secretary General António Guterres recommended to the members of the UN Security Council to extend the UNAMA mission in Afghanistan for another year.

IPI Report: UNSC Expected to Renew UNAMA Mandate
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Ban on Female Education in Afghanistan Continues to Spark Intl Criticism

March 11, 2023
Mitra Majeedy
Tolo News
11 March 2023

Although, the new academic year will start in the next two weeks, so far no new decision has been made to reopen girls’ schools.

The US Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council, Ambassador Michèle Taylor, stated on Twitter that female students in Afghanistan face unacceptable restrictions on their freedom and ability to pursue education.

“Over 600 million children worldwide are unable to attain minimum proficiency levels in reading and math. In Afghanistan, girls are barred from attending secondary school and face unacceptable restrictions on their freedom of movement,” the statement reads.

Although, the new academic year will start in the next two weeks, so far no new decision has been made to reopen girls’ schools.

Some female students criticized the closure of their schools by the current government.

“We worked hard and learned a lot; we have goals and ambitions, and it is vital that our schools be opened in order to accomplish our educational dreams,” Husna, a student in the eleventh grade, told TOLOnews.

“We ask the officials to reopen schools for female students at the same time as it is opened for male students,” said Salwa, another student.

Kabul residents said that education provides the basis for the progress of the country, and they asked the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools for girls.

“If they reopen schools and universities it will be a very good thing, and we will get rid of the need of others. We should have doctors and engineers and serve our country,” said Janan, a resident of Kabul.

“We ask the Islamic Emirate to open schools for girls, and this is our only request and it will make everyone progress in the country,” said Amir, another resident of Kabul.

Grades 7-12 f have been closed for girls and young women for more than 530 days.

Ban on Female Education in Afghanistan Continues to Spark Intl Criticism
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Blast in northern Afghanistan kills at least one

March 11, 2023
Al Jazeera
Published On 11 Mar 2023

An explosion during an award ceremony for journalists in Afghanistan’s northern Balkh province has killed at least one person and wounded eight others, according to a Taliban police spokesman.

The explosion took place at the Tabian Farhang centre in Mazar-i-Sharif, the capital of the province, as journalists gathered for the award event at 11am on Saturday, said Mohammad Asif Waziri, the Taliban-appointed spokesman for Balkh police.

“A blast has taken placed in the second police district of Balkh,” he said. Waziri confirmed the casualty toll, adding that three children were among the wounded.

The incident came two days after a bomb in Mazar-i-Sharif killed the provincial governor, Daud Muzmal, and two others. Four were wounded.

Journalists among wounded

A journalist based in Balkh, Mohammad Fardin Nowrozi, told the Reuters news agency that he and other journalists were injured in the explosion, but did not provide further details.

Wounded journalists also included Najeeb Faryad, a reporter for Ariana News television station, who said he felt like something hit him in the back, followed by a deafening sound before he fell to the ground, according to the Associated Press news agency.

There as no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

The regional affiliate of the ISIL (ISIS) group is a key rival of the Taliban. The group has increased its attacks in Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover of the country in August 2021. Targets have included Taliban patrols and members of Afghanistan’s Shia minority.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES
Blast in northern Afghanistan kills at least one
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Afghan broadcaster airs rare all-female panel to discuss rights on Women’s Day

March 10, 2023
KABUL, March 8 (Reuters) – Afghan broadcaster Tolo News on Wednesday aired an all-female panel in its studio with an audience of women to mark International Women’s Day, a rare broadcast since the Taliban took over and many female journalists left the profession or started working off-air.

A survey by Reporters Without Borders last year found that more than 75% of female journalists had lost their jobs since the Taliban took over as foreign forces withdrew in August 2021.

With surgical masks covering their faces, the panel of three women and one female moderator on Wednesday evening discussed the topic of the position of women in Islam.

“A woman has rights from an Islamic point of view … it is her right to be able to work, to be educated,” said journalist Asma Khogyani during the panel.

The Taliban last year restricted most girls from high school, women from university and stopped most Afghan female NGO workers.

Another panellist, former university professor Zakira Nabil said women would continue to find ways to learn and work.

“Whether you want it or not, women exist in this society … if it’s not possible to get an education at school, she will learn knowledge at home,” she told the panel.

Due to growing restrictions as well as the country’s severe economic crisis, the International Labour Organisation said female employment had fallen 25% last year since mid-2021. It added that more women were turning to self-employed work such as tailoring at home.

The United Nation’s Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) on Wednesday called on the Taliban to reverse restrictions on the rights of girls and women, calling them “distressing.”

The Taliban have said they respect women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan culture and that authorities have set up a committee to examine perceived issues in order to work towards re-opening girls’ schools.

Reporting by Kabul Newsroom Editing by Alexandra Hudson
Afghan broadcaster airs rare all-female panel to discuss rights on Women’s Day
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Female Medical Students Urge Islamic Emirate to Give Exit Exam

March 10, 2023
Banafsha Binesh
Tolo News
10 March 2023

The students said that they cannot make decisions about their futures if the exit examinations are not held.

Female medical students from various faculties of private and government universities called on the Afghan interim government to determine their exit examination.

The students said that they cannot make decisions about their futures if the exit examinations are not held.

The exit examination for male students at medical universities was held nearly three weeks ago, but the date for the female students’ examination has yet to be determined by the caretaker government.

“Because they promised us that they will give our examination, we are preparing, hoping that this examination will take place. So we are hoping that they will give our examination as soon as possible,” said Royina, a student.

The students expressed concerns about their future.

“Our examination has not been held and this is our right and I think it is a major wrong against us,” said Ana Khani, a student.

The students meanwhile also called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen their universities.

“As long as the gates of universities and schools have been closed on us, there is deep sorrow and disappointment that we cannot continue our education and this is bothering us,” said Firoza Amini, a student.

The Afghanistan Medical Council (AMC) held the exit exam for male students on February 10, 2023. The time for the female students has not been determined yet.

Female Medical Students Urge Islamic Emirate to Give Exit Exam
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