Security Council extends mandate of UN mission in Afghanistan by 6 months

New York-Sana

The UN Security Council has approved the renewal of the mandate of the United Nations Political Mission in Afghanistan for a period of six months.

Council members voted unanimously to adopt a draft resolution submitted by Estonia and Norway to extend the mandate of the UN mission, which would have expired today, for a period of six months, that is, until March 17 of next year, as reported by “AFP.”

In its resolution, the Security Council stressed the paramount importance of the continued presence of the United Nations mission and other agencies and programs in Afghanistan, calling on all parties in the country and abroad to coordinate their steps with the mission within the framework of its mandate and to ensure security, safety and freedom of movement for United Nations staff in Afghanistan and its contractors there.

The Security Council requested the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, to submit a report, no later than January 31, that includes strategic and operational recommendations on the mandate of the UN mission, given the recent political developments in Afghanistan.

In the resolution, the members of the Security Council stressed the importance of forming a representative and inclusive government in Afghanistan with full and equal participation of women, noting the importance of protecting human rights in the country, including women, children and minorities.

In the resolution, the Council called for activating efforts aimed at providing humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, stressing at the same time the importance of combating terrorism in this country and ensuring that it does not turn into a hotbed for terrorists.

The UN mission in Afghanistan was established in March 2002.