The United Nations Security Council convened on Monday, June 15, to discuss the extension of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Council members are expected to decide on the continuation of the mission’s activities in Afghanistan.
UNAMA’s current mandate expires on June 17, and the Security Council must determine whether to extend the mission or establish a new framework for its operations. UNAMA is one of the United Nations’ most significant institutions in Afghanistan and serves as the primary coordinator of UN activities throughout the country.
In March of last year, the Security Council unanimously approved a three-month extension of UNAMA’s mandate, with all members voting in favor of the resolution.
Monday’s meeting follows a special Security Council session on Afghanistan held last week. During that session, the human rights situation and restrictions imposed on women and girls were among the principal topics discussed by Council members.
United Nations officials stated during the meeting that millions of girls in Afghanistan continue to be deprived of their right to education and access to schooling. This issue remains one of the international community’s foremost concerns regarding Afghanistan.
While the United States does not oppose the continuation of UNAMA’s activities, it has called for a comprehensive review of the mission’s structure, mandate, and effectiveness. Washington has emphasized the need to assess UNAMA’s performance and align its operations with the current realities in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was established on March 28, 2002, pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1401. Its initial mandate was to support the implementation of the Bonn Agreement and the political transition process following the fall of the first Taliban government.
At the time of its establishment, the Security Council approved UNAMA’s mandate for an initial 12-month period. Since then, the mission’s mandate has been regularly renewed and adjusted in response to political and security developments in Afghanistan.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
