KABUL: The deputy foreign minister of the Islamic Emirate said that there is no need for another UN envoy when UNAMA is operating in Afghanistan.
Sher Muhammad Abbas Stanikzai told TOLOnews that the current government is powerful and only a representative of the Islamic Emirate should represent Afghanistan in international meetings.
“A UN special envoy is appointed only for those countries that are in crisis, in Afghanistan there exists no problem and UNAMA is also active here and a UN envoy is present. They are cooperating with us both in political and humanitarian affairs. We see no need for another UN envoy,” said Sher Muhammad Abbas Stanikzai, the deputy foreign minister.
Stanikzai added that some people are trying to weaken the Islamic Emirate’s authority in governance.
“Sometimes in some foreign meetings on Afghanistan, some people who have no responsibility for the country are invited to portray our governance as weak, this creates conflict,” said Stanikzai.
Meanwhile political analysts shared different views on the participation of certain individuals in international meetings on Afghanistan, and the operation of UNAMA.
“This is a responsibility of the UN chief, even if countries do not agree, the UN chief will appoint the envoy,” said Sayed Ishaq Gilani, head of the National Solidarity Movement of Afghanistan.
“The appointment of a special envoy for a country in an international meeting is an important issue, if not dealt with properly this will trigger sensitivities,” said Rashid Qutbzada, an international relations analyst.
The deputy foreign minister also said that the reason behind the Islamic Emirate’s absence at the second Doha meeting was because its conditions were not met by the UN chief.
