UNSC Unanimously Adopts Resolutions on Afghanistan Situation, Calls for Independent Assessment
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has unanimously adopted two resolutions concerning the situation in Afghanistan, both extending the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) for another year and requesting an independent assessment for an integrated and coherent approach to address the current challenges faced by Afghanistan.
The first resolution, Resolution 2678, decides to extend the mandate of UNAMA until March 17, 2024 and calls upon all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, including relevant authorities and international actors, to coordinate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of United Nations and associated personnel throughout the country.
The second resolution, Resolution 2679, requests an independent assessment of recommendations for the efforts to address Afghanistan's challenges. The 15-member council requests the secretary-general to conduct and provide, no later than Nov. 17, an integrated, independent assessment, after consultations with all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, including relevant authorities, Afghan women and civil society, as well as the region and the wider international community.
At the meeting, a second resolution was adopted, which requests the UN Secretary-General to conduct an independent evaluation and present suggestions for a unified and consistent approach to the Afghan matter among various stakeholders in the global community. The resolution stresses the critical importance of UNAMA's continued presence in Afghanistan and calls upon all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, including relevant authorities and international actors, to coordinate with UNAMA in the implementation of its mandate and to ensure the safety, security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel throughout the country.[0]
On February 14, 2023, the International Peace Institute (IPI), the Stimson Center, and Security Council Report collaborated to host a roundtable discussion.[1] At this roundtable, member states, UN personnel, civil society representatives, and independent analysts had the opportunity to candidly and cooperatively express their views on the condition in Afghanistan.[1] The aim of the discussion was to assist the Security Council in making better decisions concerning the order of importance and timing of UNAMA's mandate and the mission's strategic objectives and activities in the field.[1]
The issues that are likely to shape the council's negotiations on UNAMA's mandate renewal include political engagement, sanctions, risk management and aid diversion, development assistance, the threat of terrorism, and ongoing human rights violations.[1]
0. “UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan extended for one year” Global Village space, 16 Mar. 2023, https://www.globalvillagespace.com/un-assistance-mission-in-afghanistan-extended-for-one-year
1. “Prioritizing and Sequencing of Security Council Mandates in 2023: The Case of UNAMA” International Peace Institute, 9 Mar. 2023, https://www.ipinst.org/2023/03/prioritizing-and-sequencing-of-security-council-mandates-in-2023-the-case-of-unama
