KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has called on the Taliban to adhere to its international obligations, warning that the regime’s continued rejection of certain obligations directly impacts the country’s political reintegration and the well-being of its population.
Roza Otunbayeva, head of UNAMA, told the UN Security Council that the Taliban’s selective approach to international commitments is not only hindering diplomatic progress but also exacerbating the suffering of the Afghan people.
Speaking on Monday, Otunbayeva emphasized that the ongoing engagement between the international community, the Afghan people, and the Taliban is crucial to breaking Afghanistan’s increasing isolation.
“A growing number of Afghans express concerns about intrusions into their private lives by the de facto authorities and fear further isolation,” Otunbayeva stated. While acknowledging that Taliban rule has resulted in a reduction of armed conflict, she stressed that “this is not a peace in which people can live in dignity with their human rights respected and with confidence in a stable future.”
The UN official underscored the worsening humanitarian crisis, with more than 23 million people—over half the country’s population—now in need of assistance. However, she warned that humanitarian aid is rapidly declining. Over 200 health facilities have closed in recent weeks, impacting nearly two million people, while crucial malnutrition services for children have been curtailed due to funding shortages.
Despite significant challenges, Otunbayeva praised Afghan women’s continued role in humanitarian efforts. However, she condemned the Taliban’s ongoing restrictions on women, particularly in education and employment, highlighting the closure of medical institutes for women as a devastating blow to the country’s already fragile healthcare system.
Turning to security, she noted that while the Taliban maintains control over most of the country, threats from groups like ISIL-KP persist. She referenced recent attacks in Kunduz and Kabul, as well as the presence of militant groups such as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), as evidence of Afghanistan’s ongoing security challenges.
Otunbayeva warned that declining international engagement and financial support could push Afghanistan deeper into crisis. She urged the Taliban to take decisive steps toward international reintegration by demonstrating genuine commitment to diplomatic engagement, counter-narcotics efforts, and economic reforms, including support for women-led businesses.
“The most helpful development would be a clear signal from the de facto authorities that they are committed to the reintegration of Afghanistan with the international community, with all that it implies,” she said, calling for renewed global attention to the country’s plight.
