Tatsat Chronicle Magazine

UNSC has stated that it does not support the reinstatement of Afghanistan’s Islamic Emirate

September 22, 2021
UNSC

India has closely monitored the situation in Afghanistan and has urged for a “permanent and comprehensive ceasefire,” as expressed in the UNSC

UNSC has stated that it “does not support the restoration of the Islamic emirate” in Afghanistan, expressing grave worry over the high levels of violence in the war-torn country following the Taliban’s military push. Most UNSC members believe that the UNSC’s administration is a preferable option than leaving the situation to deteriorate. S Jaishankar, the External Affairs Minister, is expected to visit New York in the middle of this month, with a focus on Afghanistan. With India’s UNSC Presidency ending this month, Jaishankar will lead India’s attempts to put Afghanistan on the international agenda.

India is already supporting Estonia and Norway, the UNSC’s “penholders” on Afghanistan, in their efforts to move the subject ahead. Three recent events suggest the stage may be shifting away from Doha, which insiders say was not conducive to negotiations. The Taliban made the blunder of bombing a UN facility in Herat, allowing India to rally support for a condemnatory statement. Second, Afghan Foreign Minister Hanif Atmar has pushed for UNSC talks, most recently in a phone call to Jaishankar. Third, the White House’s unwavering support for the Kabul regime demonstrates its aversion to decisions made on the battlefield. US Secretary of State Antony Binken met with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani on Tuesday to discuss the need to speed up peace talks.

Furthermore, as reaffirmed in previous Council statements, the Council and the Secretary-General should emphasise that the United Nations will not recognise any government that gains power through force and state unequivocally that the United Nations does not recognise the restoration of an Islamic emirate. He requested that international guarantees be provided for the implementation of future political agreements. Following the debate, members of the Council urged the Taliban to stop the bloodshed, spare civilian lives, and enable humanitarian workers safe and unrestricted access to those in need.