UNAMA Still Without Leader Months After Term Ends
Nearly six months after the end of Roza Otunbayeva’s term as head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), no one has yet been appointed by the UN Secretary-General to fill the position.
A week ago, during a UN Security Council meeting, UNAMA’s mandate was extended for another three months, and the resolution emphasized the need to appoint a new head for the mission as soon as possible. However, the delay has raised concerns about a lack of coordination in engagement between the international community and Afghanistan.
Sayed Ebadullah Sadiq, a political analyst, said: “Every institution has a responsible leader who is accountable. UNAMA must report the current situation in the country accurately and on time to the United Nations and other global bodies. Having a responsible person is very important.”
Suhail Shaheen, acting ambassador of the Islamic Emirate in Qatar, also stressed that UNAMA’s reports should be based on the objective realities of the country.
He added: “The UNAMA office in Afghanistan plays a key role in delivering humanitarian aid to those in need, and its reports should be prepared based on the objective realities on the ground.”
Previously, Russia’s representative at the UN Security Council meeting on Afghanistan, held on the 16th of this month, also emphasized the need to consult Afghanistan when appointing a new head of UNAMA.
Moscow has also highlighted the importance of coordination between the UN Secretary-General’s special representative and the Afghan government.
Earlier, the Islamic Emirate had stated that UNAMA’s activities in Afghanistan have not been beneficial and have contributed to creating a negative perception in the country.
