UNAMA: Statement During Briefing

Thank you Mr. President,

I thank DSRSG Mr. Markus Potzel for his briefing on the latest developments in Afghanistan. I welcome the appointment of Ms. Roza Otunbayeva as the new SRSG for UNAMA and express our readiness to work closely with her.

I would also like to thank Ms. Fawzia Koofi for her briefing on the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.

Mr. President, over the past one year, there has largely been consensus on the need to address the situation in Afghanistan. We now need decisive actions, moving forward.

Our approaches require a thorough review of the challenges experienced, the progress made and how we can engage better and more effectively with all relevant stakeholders.

The economic, humanitarian and security challenges facing Afghanistan remain a pressing concern that require concerted efforts. They also demand that the Taliban engages in open dialogue and demonstrate flexibility with a view to improving the livelihoods of the millions of Afghans.

The Taliban should also urgently take steps to unite the country including through the formation of an inclusive government that would represent the interests of all the different ethnic communities and vulnerable groups including women, youth and persons with disabilities.

The security situation is greatly concerning. August was one of the deadliest months marked by a series of attacks by ISIL-K, reoccurring clashes with opposition forces and continued presence of foreign terrorist groups.

It is the obligation of the Taliban to ensure that the territory of Afghanistan is not a haven for any terrorist groups to conduct their activities. It must therefore take concrete actions to addressing these threats.

Mr. President, with the fast-approaching winter, the already dire humanitarian needs will increase correspondingly. We therefore encourage all donors to scale up their assistance.

But even as we address the immediate humanitarian concerns, there is an urgent need to consider long term solutions and pragmatic approaches, including investing in climate resistant agriculture to improve food security and encourage self-reliance.

The decision by the Taliban on 3rd April, 2022 to ban opium farming is a positive step. We encourage relevant UN agencies and international partners to support efforts to provide farmers with the necessary resources and capacity to farm alternative crops.

The issue of how to manage the frozen Afghan assets remains contentious. We urge all relevant stakeholders to work together to identify suitable mechanisms and frameworks to enable the disbursement of these funds in a manner that can revive the ailing economy.

Mr. President, as we have heard today from Ms. Fawzia Koofi, there is no tangible progress regarding the repugnant restrictions on women in Afghanistan. It is therefore regrettable that a year on, Afghan girls are still unable to attend secondary education and women are denied opportunities to work and rightfully contribute to the development of their country.

We must all demand on the Taliban to do what is right – allow the girls their right to get an education and mainstream women into the economy by granting them opportunities to work.

To conclude, Mr President, I reiterate that the Taliban must take seriously its obligations on all fronts from ensuring that women and girls have their rights to education and opportunities for gainful employment to uniting the country through inclusive governance, and fighting terrorism, if they desire and expect to receive any form of international recognition.

I reaffirm Kenya's solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and stand ready to support all endeavours aimed at securing their safety and well-being.

I thank You