DOHA: United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday that international envoys to Afghanistan are aiming for future meetings that include Taliban participation, despite the group’s refusal to attend talks in Doha.
During a news conference, Guterres said that discussions among delegates centered on “creating the conditions, in a next meeting, to have the presence of the Taliban authorities of Afghanistan.” This comes in the aftermath of the Taliban’s rejection of an invitation to the two-day conference held in Qatar.
The Taliban’s administration in Kabul, not recognized by any other government since its assumption of power, has drawn criticism for its treatment of women, characterized by the UN as “gender apartheid.”
Following the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the international community has grappled with how to engage with the new rulers of Afghanistan. The UN had extended invitations to Taliban authorities for participation in the talks, but Kabul insisted on being the sole representative, excluding civil society groups.
Roadmap for Talks on Afghanistan
Guterres noted that the conditions set forth by the Kabul government for participation were deemed unacceptable, as they denied the opportunity to engage with other representatives of Afghan society.
Efforts to overcome this impasse have become a priority, with Guterres emphasizing the need for a roadmap that considers both the concerns of the international community and those of Afghanistan’s authorities.
During the meeting, which included representatives from the US, China, Pakistan, and the European Union, there was “total consensus” on proposals from a UN independent assessment on Afghanistan. This assessment recommended the appointment of a UN special envoy, a proposal supported by Western nations but rejected by the Taliban.
Guterres announced plans to initiate consultations to explore the feasibility of appointing a UN envoy, who could play a coordinating role in Afghanistan and engage effectively with the Taliban authorities.
Additionally, discussions centered on establishing a “contact group” to ensure a more coordinated approach in engaging with the Taliban. This group, comprising a limited number of states, would work towards coherence in the international community’s engagement with Afghanistan’s authorities.
