Davood Moradian: In Afghanistan’s crowded scene of actors and accomplices, the United Nations has been an enduring and prominent presence. However, it has successfully insulated itself from public scrutiny and accountability. Its decision to exclude Afghan women and civil society representatives from the just concluded Doha conference, the third such meeting the U.N. has sponsored,
Afghanistan International: The Shia Ulema Council of Afghanistan, in a statement, urged the Taliban to take necessary measures to ensure security during the month of Muharram and to prevent any disruption and insecurity. Last year, the Taliban asked Afghan Shias to refrain from erecting scaffolding and large religious flags in the city. The Taliban also
Michael Hughes: Chinese President Xi Jinping at the South Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Astana called on the bloc to boost humanitarian support and efforts to rebuild Afghanistan given its criticality to the region’s security. The remarks come as the Taliban try to reassure the world the regime can crack down on terrorism, including
Afghanistan International: The leaders of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries emphasised on the necessity of forming an inclusive government in Afghanistan. They asserted that establishing an inclusive government with broad participation from all ethnic and political groups is the only way to achieve lasting peace in the country. Click here to read more
Ayaz Gul VOA News July 3, 2024 ISLAMABAD — The Taliban government in Afghanistan indicated Wednesday that it would consider releasing two U.S. prisoners in exchange for Afghans held in the United States. Zabihullah Mujahid, the chief Taliban spokesman, told reporters in Kabul that the idea of a prisoner release was discussed in his meeting with
Khaama: The former Afghan Interior Minister described the Doha summit as “another example of the UN’s failure in managing the Taliban and Afghanistan.” Mohammad Omar Daudzai called on the UN Secretary-General to replace Roze Otunbayeva and cleanse UNAMA, stating that the Doha meeting was a waste of time and a deviation from its main purpose.
By Sarah Zaman VOA News July 1, 2024 DOHA, QATAR — The third round of U.N.-led talks to explore engagement with Afghanistan ended Monday without the Taliban making any reform pledges or winning concessions from the international community. A few international organizations and special envoys for Afghanistan from nearly two dozen countries met with Taliban officials in
Afghanistan International: Zabihullah Mujahid, head of the Taliban delegation, urged participants of the third Doha meeting to release Afghanistan’s Central Bank reserves and lift financial and banking sanctions on the group. Mujahid emphasised that for the Doha process to be “meaningful,” an alternative to poppy cultivation should be financially supported. He also called for the
By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi June 30, 2024 Two days of UN-organized talks on international relations with Taliban-led Afghanistan were getting under way in the Qatari capital, Doha, on June 30, with the Taliban present for the first time — but rights groups expressed anger over the hard-line fundamentalist regime’s exclusion of women and its refusal to
Ayaz Gul VOA News June 29, 2024 ISLAMABAD — The Taliban on Saturday ruled out any discussions on “internal issues” of Afghanistan, including women’s rights, with international envoys at a crucial United Nations-hosted meeting in Doha, Qatar. Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government spokesperson and head of its delegation attending the conference in the capital of the