The Afghan Taliban has announced its decision to abstain from a U.N.-sponsored conference on Afghanistan, scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar. The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that a delegation would participate only if the Taliban, or the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) were recognized as the sole official representative of Afghanistan.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement concerning Doha meeting on Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/Mr74Y1DTTm
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Afghanistan (@MoFA_Afg) February 17, 2024
The Ministry further stated that participation would be deemed unbeneficial if the IEA’s role as the representative of Afghanistan was not acknowledged, thereby leading to ineffectual participation due to non-progress in this area.
The United Nations, on the other hand, has extended invitations to Afghan civil society members and groups opposed to the Taliban, to engage in discussions with special envoys for Afghanistan. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the U.N. Secretary-General, emphasized the importance of hearing the voices of Afghan women very loud and clear.
However, the foreign ministry expressed opposition to the inclusion of non-Taliban voices, suggesting that progress in talks could be achieved if the U.N. acknowledges current realities and resists the influence and pressure of a few parties.
The Doha conference
The conference in Doha marks the second U.N.-led international dialogue on Afghanistan since the Taliban assumed control of the country in August 2021, following the conclusion of a 20-year war with the U.S. and its allies. While the Taliban were not invited to the first global assembly in May 2023, the U.N. was seeking the group’s presence this time.
The conference aims to provide an opportunity for special envoys to meet collectively with Afghan stakeholders, including representatives of the de facto authorities and Afghan civil society participants, including women. Discussions are expected to revolve around how the international community should engage with the Taliban, addressing the plight of Afghan women and girls who are barred from studying and working, and the potential appointment of a special U.N. envoy for Afghanistan, a proposition opposed by the Taliban.
Despite having controlled Afghanistan for more than two years, the Taliban’s bid for official recognition has been unsuccessful. The U.N. has declined to grant the group Afghanistan’s seat at the world body.
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