Several political, civil, and women’s protest movements have repeatedly warned against Afghanistan turning into a global terrorism hub and a center for Islamic fundamentalism. Recently, the United Nations has also confirmed Afghanistan’s status under Taliban control as a source of instability and terrorism worldwide. The head of UNAMA emphasized in the latest UN Security Council meeting that Afghanistan accounts for at least 85% of global opium production and serves as a land with millions of migrants. The Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly reacted to the UN chief’s remarks, dismissing them as unfounded.
The United Nations Security Council hosted a meeting on Afghanistan last week, attended by permanent and non-permanent members. The head of UNAMA and the acting permanent representative of Afghanistan to the UN also spoke at this session.
Roza Otunbayeva, the head of UNAMA in Afghanistan, highlighted Afghanistan as a potential source of danger, terrorism, and its export to the world. She stressed that Afghanistan poses a major challenge to the world.
The head of UNAMA stated, “Afghanistan is a source of instability, terrorism, and its export to the world, accounting for at least 85% of global opium production and a country with millions of migrants.” She criticized the Taliban for disregarding women’s rights, minority groups, and religious minorities, demanding the cancellation of all restrictive orders against women. According to her, women currently fear moving freely in society.
Previously, Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, presented his quarterly report on the situation in Afghanistan to the Security Council, indicating a 38% increase in security incidents in the past three months compared to the same period last year. He mentioned the activities of the Afghanistan Freedom Front (AFF) fighters, conducting 24 attacks in various cities during the three months, all confirmed by UNAMA.
Guterres’ report states that the Taliban are facing increasing internal disputes over governance, including enforcing bans on the cultivation, production, and trafficking of drugs. According to the report, the Taliban have made no progress at national and local levels towards institutionalization and decision-making. According to the UN Secretary-General, women’s rights have been further restricted in all spheres, and nearly half of the country’s population, especially women and children, live in poverty.
Naseer Ahmad Faiq, the acting permanent representative of Afghanistan to the United Nations, also spoke at the session. He stated that the people of Afghanistan are concerned about normalizing interactions with the Taliban. According to him, global engagement with the Taliban must be conditional on the group’s performance in combating terrorism and ensuring human rights, especially women’s rights.
Mr. Faiq emphasized that no concessions should be given to the Taliban in Afghanistan due to their imposition of gender apartheid. According to him, only an all-inclusive political system following a national dialogue can ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan.
The acting permanent representative of Afghanistan to the UN, pointing to the worsening situation in Afghanistan, called for coordinated action by the Security Council members. He stated that the Taliban are just one side of the Afghanistan issue, and the UN should invite other parties in its future sessions.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s permanent representation to the UN urged the UN Security Council to demand that the Taliban in Afghanistan sever ties with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Munir Akram, Pakistan’s representative at the UN, urged the Taliban not to threaten the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries.
Munir Akram stated in his speech, “The UN should investigate how the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan has acquired advanced military equipment and resources, supporting 50,000 fighters.”
Meanwhile, the Taliban reacted sharply to the recent report of the UN Secretary-General and statements by the head of UNAMA. In a statement released yesterday, the Taliban’s Foreign Ministry termed the UN report on Afghanistan’s situation as “baseless allegations.”
While the Taliban dismissed security threats from Afghanistan against the world and the region as baseless, about a month ago, the UN Security Council revealed in a report the enduring ties between the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
According to the report, operational commanders of Al-Qaeda share common ideologies and methods with the Taliban and have personal relations in terrorist activities’ timelines. It states that ten senior Al-Qaeda figures are present in Afghanistan, and the network operates eight training camps and an arms depot in the country.
Meanwhile, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has expressed concerns about drug trafficking, including opium, cocaine, synthetic drugs, and chemical substances, as well as increased terrorist group activities in Afghanistan during various meetings throughout the year. The organization has warned that with the Taliban’s control over Afghanistan, terrorist groups are strengthening their positions within the country’s borders.
These concerns have escalated as the Taliban repeatedly claims to provide comprehensive security and combat terror groups. However, according to UN Security Council reports, the group hosts senior Al-Qaeda leaders, the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, the East Turkestan Movement, and other regional insurgent groups.
Recent reports, citing the head of the Afghanistan Strategic Studies Center, disclose that ISIS planned to detonate explosives at the Russian Embassy in Kabul. According to his sources, embassy staff discovered a bomb at the entrance and promptly alerted the Taliban.