Abubakar Siddique RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi February 20, 2024 The Taliban boycotted a United Nations-sponsored conference on Afghanistan, the first time the extremist group was invited to participate in a major international event since it seized power in 2021. The group’s refusal to attend the February 18-19 conference in Qatar is seen as a blow to
By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi February 19, 2024 UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on February 19 told a press conference at a two-day UN-sponsored meeting of more than two dozen nations but not including Taliban representatives in the Qatari capital to discuss the “evolving situation” in Afghanistan that he is starting consultations toward appointing a UN envoy to
By RFE/RL’s Radio Azadi February 18, 2024 Special envoys from more than two dozen countries gathered in the Qatari capital to discuss the “evolving situation” in Afghanistan and possible international engagement since the Taliban’s takeover of the country in mid-2021, organizers of the UN-led event said on February 18. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres held closed-door sessions with
Sarah Zaman VOA News February 17, 2024 ISLAMABAD — The Afghan Taliban have decided not to participate in a U.N.-sponsored conference on Afghanistan in Qatar’s capital Doha. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host a two-day gathering beginning Sunday in Doha, where member states and special envoys to Afghanistan will discuss engagement with the Taliban. In a
Roshan Noorzai Zheela Noori VOA News February 16, 2024 WASHINGTON — Days before a U.N.-sponsored conference on Afghanistan, it remains unclear whether the Taliban will attend what analysts describe as an opportunity for a “constructive dialogue” between the country’s de facto rulers and the international community. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host the two-day gathering opening
Ayaz Gul VOA News February 16, 2024 ISLAMABAD — A United Nations study revealed Friday that approximately two-thirds (67%) of women in Afghanistan fear the rights crisis would intensify if the country’s Taliban government is granted formal international recognition. The report comes ahead of Sunday’s U.N.-convened conference in Qatar, where member states and regional organizations’ special
Ayaz Gul VOA News February 14, 2024 ISLAMABAD — The United Nations says it would like to see Taliban representatives attend a two-day international conference on Afghanistan that will take place in Qatar next week. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will host the meeting starting February 18, with member states and regional organizations’ special envoys on Afghanistan
Akmal Dawi VOA News February 8, 2024 Taliban officials remain opposed to the possible appointment of a U.N. envoy but say they are considering “meaningful participation” in an upcoming international meeting on Afghanistan. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres will convene a meeting of various countries’ special representatives for Afghanistan in Qatar on February 18 to discuss
Ayaz Gul VOA News February 1, 2024 ISLAMABAD — A new United Nations report warns that al-Qaida has established eight new training camps in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan and is increasingly assisting anti-Pakistan militants to launch cross-border attacks. The report said an al-Qaida camp in the Afghan border province of Kunar is “conducting suicide bomber training” to support
By Ayaz Gul VOA News January 29, 2024 ISLAMABAD — Afghanistan’s fundamentalist Taliban hosted their first international meeting Monday since returning to power in Kabul, saying it is aimed at promoting economic connectivity and cooperation with regional countries on “common challenges.” Special representatives and ambassadors from neighboring and regional countries, including China, Russia and Iran, attended the